Reply #104: Unmanned flight yes. Manned flight??? [View All]

[exboyfil]

I think the Space Shuttle overall has been of limited effectiveness when compared to what it accomplished. The ISS was, and still is, a joke. The amount of scientific knowledge generated from it compared the $s has been depressing at best. I think of how many unmanned probes could have been sent out for the money wasted on it.

As for the Hubble, the Space Shuttle was necessary to initially repair the Hubble, but I have to question if it would not have been better to build and shoot Hubble type telescopes on a regular basis versus funding manned missions to the Hubble with the upgrades etc. Someone would have to sit down and look at the costs. Manned space flight is very expensive.

The Hubble and its sister telescopes have advanced our knowledge in astronomy and astrophysics more than any other experimental tool since the invention of telescopes.

As far as if space flight makes sense at all (ie the scientific gains match the pay back to society), I would have to say yes. Experimental and theoretical physics go hand in hand, and physics is the midwife to engineering which is what improves our lifestyle. GPS is one recent example and communication satellites an earlier example. There are many more. One big potential future payback is the reduction of risk related to an asteroid impact (ie early detection and a space infrastructure able to address it).

Our understanding of geology and climate has advanced by the study of other examples in our solar system. If we ever discover extraterrestrial life, then the advances in biology, genetics, and biochemistry would be truly astounding.

Technological advantages that may come from space include giant solar collectors and the harvesting of minerals and metals.

Folks may not want to hear it, but what would a significant Chinese or Russian presence at the top of the gravity well mean for our future security? Surely an argument for manned flight.

Finally, what other science and other activities do you think we should defund? Ocean exploration? The various social and humanities studies?