Obama's killing the moon mission

[Locutus of Bored]

We got to the moon by people that were taught the old fashioned way. The new way they teach isn't working.

What does that ridiculous nostalgiagasm even mean? I love how if you say "the old way" and "the new way" you get to sound all wise and deep without actually saying a damn thing.

You want to know what the "old way" was? We taxed the living shit out of the highest paid Americans. Those tea party idiots think they have it bad now? We're living in a tax paradise now compared to the way things were in the "good ole' days" they long for out of ignorance and nostalgia.

The highest pay bracket during the years of the space race leading up to the Apollo 11 launch in 1969 paid a 91% tax rate on any income over $200,000 at its highest through 77% at its lowest.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_States#Tax_rates_in_history
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Revenue_Code_of_1954

So, do you still want to go back to "the old ways" of getting things done? Because it has nothing to do with some vague BS Caine in 'Kung Fu' mantra about learning "the old ways" and everything to do with drastically raising tax rates on income over a certain amount.

 

[Gertch]

On a side note it looks like NASA did blow up the moon. Tonight it will appear to be about 14% larger and 30% brighter.

Just think of all that extra cheese. Wonder if we'll see millions of mice sized ships taking off tonight.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Yeah, that's what I thought. Better stick to side notes.

 

[LitmusDragon]

Obama's killing the moon mission

I mean, we've been there already, right? I don't see a need in us going back any time soon.

 

[Gertch]

Obama's killing the moon mission

I mean, we've been there already, right? I don't see a need in us going back any time soon.

Science, progress, and eventually, warp drive.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

I mean, we've been there already, right? I don't see a need in us going back any time soon.

The Moon has abundant amounts of Helium-3, which could fuel fusion reactors both for when they are put into service on Earth (and the Moon for that matter) and for long-term missions to Mars and eventually the outer planets with fusion-powered rockets.

Establishing a lunar colony allows astronauts to train for long duration exploration and colonization missions on lower gravity planets and moons with no air or air that's toxic to humans.

You could build powerful visual telescope arrays on the Moon without the concerns of light pollution, atmospheric distortion, and seismic activity like we have on Earth. You can also have telescope arrays using other EM spectra without interference from numerous terrestrial sources and satellites.

If we eventually ever start to build a decent enough sized-colony, it would serve as an "ark" essentially for humanity and other species that might get wiped out on Earth by an asteroid or virus or some other cause (however unlikely that may be).

Constructing and launching spacecraft on the surface of the Moon combines the ease of operating in gravity with the benefits of that gravity being much lower, meaning payloads can be greater and launch velocities can be slower.

You could safely conduct tests of hazardous materials, experiments, and power sources on the Moon without the threat of said projects reaching or damaging the outside world through accident or sabotage.

I know a lot of that seems pretty far off and pie in the sky, but if we keep putting it off every time there's a recession or things get rough it will never even start to come to fruition within our lifetimes.

 

[Gil T.Azell]

It is beyond me why there wasn't a moonbase by 1979?...or even more by 1989???

I think there is something bigger going on here...and it has nothing to do with money.

I could be wrong.

I'm I've read there is a base there it just wasn't put there by "US"

Spoiler: US

Humans

Again, WTF ever...I didn't say that.

I never said that you said that I was refering to the tabloid stories about "ET's" putting one there.

 

[Jetfire]

^
If we go up there again it will break our lil' deal with em'...the Moonies.



Eventually USA will be pressed and we will go toss every dime and resource into returning to the moon...I am shocked China hasn't done something by now.

 

[sojourner]

China is working at a slow and steady pace for now.

 

[Danoz]

How about we scrap the moon and actually plan a manned mission to MARS.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I mean, we've been there already, right? I don't see a need in us going back any time soon.

The Moon has abundant amounts of Helium-3, which could fuel fusion reactors both for when they are put into service on Earth (and the Moon for that matter) and for long-term missions to Mars and eventually the outer planets with fusion-powered rockets.

Establishing a lunar colony allows astronauts to train for long duration exploration and colonization missions on lower gravity planets and moons with no air or air that's toxic to humans.

You could build powerful visual telescope arrays on the Moon without the concerns of light pollution, atmospheric distortion, and seismic activity like we have on Earth. You can also have telescope arrays using other EM spectra without interference from numerous terrestrial sources and satellites.

If we eventually ever start to build a decent enough sized-colony, it would serve as an "ark" essentially for humanity and other species that might get wiped out on Earth by an asteroid or virus or some other cause (however unlikely that may be).

Constructing and launching spacecraft on the surface of the Moon combines the ease of operating in gravity with the benefits of that gravity being much lower, meaning payloads can be greater and launch velocities can be slower.

You could safely conduct tests of hazardous materials, experiments, and power sources on the Moon without the threat of said projects reaching or damaging the outside world through accident or sabotage.

I know a lot of that seems pretty far off and pie in the sky, but if we keep putting it off every time there's a recession or things get rough it will never even start to come to fruition within our lifetimes.

Yes.

Also, "because it is there."

 

[Lindley]

How about we scrap the moon and actually plan a manned mission to MARS.

Long-term, that's the goal. The problem with making Mars our next stop is that doing so would require several "first"s on the same mission; usually not a good idea.

Let's first see if we can safely get people to Mars orbit and back. Then we can worry about how to get them down the gravity well and back up again.

 

[Jetfire]

Can a ship go at warp 1 in a solar system or does it always have to stay at impulse? How fast does is impulse? Maybe NASA can figure out an impulse type engine/drive then we can get to the moon and other places quick...or not...don't really know how that works???

 

[sojourner]

^

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Can a ship go at warp 1 in a solar system or does it always have to stay at impulse? How fast does is impulse?

Wait, whaaaaaaaaaaat?

Impulse generates up to 150,000 unicorn power, and is capable of reaching speeds of just under 12 PPKR (Parsecs Per Kessel Run).

Now drop the Star Trek board and step away from it slowly, son. We don't want anyone to get hurt here.

 

[Jetfire]

^
So that is fast right?

 

[Mark de Vries]

Yes. It is also imaginery.

 

[Squiggy]

Can a ship go at warp 1 in a solar system or does it always have to stay at impulse? How fast does is impulse?

Wait, whaaaaaaaaaaat?

Impulse generates up to 150,000 unicorn power, and is capable of reaching speeds of just under 12 PPKR (Parsecs Per Kessel Run).

Now drop the Star Trek board and step away from it slowly, son. We don't want anyone to get hurt here.

WE. NEED. MORE. LLAMAS.

 

[John Picard]

How about we scrap the moon and actually plan a manned mission to MARS.

Go to Mars -- why?

 

[Alpha Romeo]

How about we scrap the moon and actually plan a manned mission to MARS.

Go to Mars -- why?

Jeez John come off it will you? Why did Columbus go to America? Why did Nixon go to China?

The point is that it's a frontier. Why NOT go there?