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#1751 Re: Human missions » NASA, America, etc. - America » 2002-11-12 18:09:58
The United States of America (not America, since I'm from Canada, eh?) are not living up to expectations insofar as interplanetary space is concerned. They should encourage through popular information releases (eg. via NASA Space News) the Russian asperations especially, who are truly motivated (their entire Soyuz history is available on the net) and still capable of producing results, soonest!
#1752 Re: Human missions » SLI is dead, what comes next? » 2002-11-12 17:39:23
I shouldn't really be posting here because I find the lengthy descriptions of huge numbers of different rockets with mysterious acronyms give me headaches!
I feel the term 'EELV' is probably a key factor in all this and I keep meaning to do a google search one day to find out what it means! The LV bit must be launch vehicle ... but the EE ... Hmmm.
Easily Elevated?
Extremely Energetic?
Enormously Expensive?Anyhow, that's not why I'm here. I just came across what is either a very cynical evaluation of America's space program or a painfully accurate description of same!
If you've already read this article, I apologise for bringing up old news. But, if you haven't, you may find it interesting (read depressing! ).
"EELV" is a mystery to me, too. Personally, I hate acronyms that come without a (glossery) included once in each submission. Otherwise, you simply "preach to the converted" and we who are new to your specialty, or don't have time to read back to where the damn thing originated, are lost to your proposal(s).
I read the "article" and was neither depressed nor inspired. It seemed to say what had to be said. Unfortunately, when you click on it, you are prevented from going "back" and have to enter <www. Mars Society> or am I just ignorant and don't know how (any advice would be appreciated).
#1753 Re: New Mars Articles » The urgency question - Could we lose our chance to go? » 2002-11-12 16:01:37
I think a good example of the mystical aspect of extreme environmentalism is the concept of Gaia, that the Earth is somehow one gigantic living being and that humanity is more often than not her nemesis. It's a kind of anthropomorphism of the entire planet. I think this mystical quality is important for a lot of people because it builds an emotional bridge to their beliefs. Unfortunately such emotionally motivated beliefs often obliterate any sense of rationality
Actually, the brutal truth of HOW you think, move fingers and then type what you think on these marvelous machines of ours comes from sparks of chemically induced electricity flowing across the holes (synapses) of your mind. Is it so prepostorous for the electromagnetic spectrum field that inhabits a human and enables it to function to 'think' that a similar electromagnetic spectrum field isn't somehow 'aware' of the Universe on its own level? Talk about anthropomorphism in the extreme. Who is REALLY electromagnetically 'powerfull' enough to say to the Universe:
It can't be that way?
How about the fixed rate of electromagnetic radiation's propagation? Surely the speed of light must obviate the phenomenon of realtime self-awareness in a universal mind. I'd say Einstein was "powerful enough to say it can't be that way." Besides, what's the point, since we seem to be on our own for all practical purposes. Time to grow up, humankind, and leave the cradle! (Not my thought, but I subscribe to it).
#1754 Re: New Mars Articles » The urgency question - Could we lose our chance to go? » 2002-11-12 15:56:01
I think a good example of the mystical aspect of extreme environmentalism is the concept of Gaia, that the Earth is somehow one gigantic living being and that humanity is more often than not her nemesis. It's a kind of anthropomorphism of the entire planet. I think this mystical quality is important for a lot of people because it builds an emotional bridge to their beliefs. Unfortunately such emotionally motivated beliefs often obliterate any sense of rationality
Actually, the brutal truth of HOW you think, move fingers and then type what you think on these marvelous machines of ours comes from sparks of chemically induced electricity flowing across the holes (synapses) of your mind. Is it so prepostorous for the electromagnetic spectrum field that inhabits a human and enables it to function to 'think' that a similar electromagnetic spectrum field isn't somehow 'aware' of the Universe on its own level? Talk about anthropomorphism in the extreme. Who is REALLY electromagnetically 'powerfull' enough to say to the Universe:
It can't be that way?
#1755 Re: Meta New Mars » Titles system » 2002-11-12 14:23:02
Dicktice writes:-
That is a relief: I thought they meant how much money they had donated!
Oh no! Don't tell me!!
Not another one like Phobos and Josh .... long on rhetoric about the necessity of Martian exploration, but short on cash for membership dues!!
Come on you guys! Get with the program here and join the Mars Society now!
Talk is cheap. We need commitment (and money! ) to achieve anything worthwhile.
You mean stars after your name denote influence that has been purchased? ???
#1756 Re: Human missions » NASA Reforms » 2002-11-10 14:37:35
Hmm, didn't realize the ISS was initally intended to be more efficient. Makes me less annoyed that it's a piece of crap when I learn that it was done for internationalization (which ultimately is a very noble goal). I mean, had it been more efficient what would we have called it? USSS? Heh.
I think that NASA could be better if it were simply privitized to an extent. I'm not talking to an extent where people can personally make profit, I'm talking about to the extent the USPS is commercialized. It could really kick off fast international travel (space jets that can go from and to anywhere in the world in 90 minutes), if not kickstart a sort of space tourism. As long as NASA stays as open as it is, I see no problem with anything related to commercialization.
First, you have to be able to support more than three persons aboard the ISS with escape capability. The only way now has been via a single Soyuz-TM three-seater spaceraft, and now six, I believe, with two Soyuz-TM's docked...since Congress allowed the 10-plus passenger "lifeboat" project to die for lack of funds, a while back. Private enterprise would be advised, now, to revive this lifeboat project in order to capitalize on the ISS's potential for ten or more persons on board, to include besides operating crew, space scientists and/or cash paying tourists.
#1757 Re: New Mars Articles » The urgency question - Could we lose our chance to go? » 2002-11-10 14:10:15
So the secret is to do away with all the work, let most of this surplus population die, then the survivors (all 12 of em) can live off the naturaly occuring food and not have to work 40 hour weeks.
I don't buy it.
Or develop artificial intelligence to the point where it can do most of the human labor autonomously and then make people share holders in the state who recieve dividends from these largely robotic dependant corporations (I believe Alaska does something like this.) And yes, before you go calling me a hypocrite for suggesting such a socialistic thing, I still think people should have all the rights to start up their own businesses if they choose. Yeah, you scoff and laugh now but in 100 years, 200 years....
Truly intelligent, artificial intelligence would become bored with repetive, boring, slavery and simply rebel!
#1758 Re: New Mars Articles » The urgency question - Could we lose our chance to go? » 2002-11-10 14:05:09
it`s doubtful there is any hurry to get to mars.
Perhaps...but there is a strong case, in view of asteroid/comet impact unpredictability, not to mention self-inflicted cataclysms, to start preparing for Humankind and Earth ecology to thrive off-planet: in space colonies, hollowed-out planetoids, the Moon, as well as Mars! Where is your sense of survival, having seen (I presume) how vulnerable we are, in those breathtaking old Apollo, en route, photos of Earth?
#1759 Re: Meta New Mars » Forums deleted » 2002-11-10 13:23:57
To a newcomer, all this is just a lot of nonsense...what are you all talking/joking/blathering about?
#1760 Re: Meta New Mars » Titles system » 2002-11-10 13:12:12
People might be wondering what these funky stars are that have appeared next to their names in posts. They're simply a way of showing how many posts you've made and will be a good way of identifying new users who might be unfamiliar with these forums. The system goes:
0 posts - no stars - no title
1-49 posts - 1 star - 'Junior Member'
50-99 posts - 2 stars - 'Member'
100+ posts - 3 stars - 'Senior Member'When people start hitting over 200 posts, I'll probably make up some kind of new title.
I tried to implement this system a while back but it didn't work too well and I couldn't figure out how to make it work. In fact, it doesn't work that well right now either since in order for your stars and title to appear by your name in current posts, you have to make an additional posts (probably in order to update the database). But that's only a minor problem.
That is a relief: I thought they meant how much money they had donated! 
#1761 Re: Human missions » Space Stepping-Stones Demand A Destination » 2002-11-09 13:37:31
The Soviets were commies as well. Sputnik was the first artificial satellite of Earth. Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space. Mir lasted a lot longer than Skylab.
With literally half of the Earth's population under their control, I think the Bejing government is more than capable of getting to the Moon.
With the ISS almost totally dependent on the (former Soviet, now Russian) Soyuz-TM transportation system for passengers and "lifeboat," and supply & garbage removal via unmanned Progress craft. With no equivalent USA development on the horizon, one wonders where this guy's coming from. Communism had little to do with the design (except maybe to hold it back like any political body). Good forward-looking engineering and consistnt budgetary support did. And since the Chinese are planning their transportation system along the same lines as the still viable Soyuz transportation system.... Goodby Moon exclusivity, USA!
#1762 Re: Interplanetary transportation » Transfer of energy - HOW? » 2002-11-05 10:50:54
What about the "vibrating plate" approach I read about in New Scientist Magazine a few months back, in which various animals are placed upon a platform, or plate that can be vibrated at differing frequencies and amplitudes depending on the mass of the animal, to induce muscular stimulation of bone calcification...? I haven't seen anything further, but if it works...what a great alternative to what you all are talking about...!
#1763 Re: Water on Mars » First Odyssey report!! - Finally! :) » 2002-11-02 13:20:57
I'm shocked (having just joined) at how old these comments are. Here, it is the 1st of November 2002, and no-one has anything to say about the dirth of nighttime infrared imagery from Odyssey! Anyone? Dick Tice.