Why I Support The Space Program

Discussion in 'Science and Technology' started by Fueled by Coffee, Sep 9, 2014.

  1. scratcho

    scratcho Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    Something I have thought about in the past, was taking those small trailers( like motorcycle trailers) installing batteries in them, and have them available EVERYWHERE--just like gas stations are now. Getting low--pull in, unhook your trailer, hook up another one that is fully charged and off you go.
     
  2. Sleeping Caterpillar

    Sleeping Caterpillar Members

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    That;s actually a cool idea, doesn't have to be a trailer either, cause that'd be hard to lug around. But literally just pit stops where you exchange batteries, instead of refilling/recharging. The station can be used to recharge batteries, so you always picked up a fully charged one to connect to your car.

    I suppose the struggle would be regulating batteries/ cars so they're all compatible. Wouldn't really be a challenge, but politics will find a way.

    Though I think electric might be our next step from gas, I still think it's terrible for the environment.
     
  3. scratcho

    scratcho Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    If batteries could be charged with renewables instead of coal--. The trailer stations could have solar in back and wind on top. This could be done, but it would take someone very rich, or some large company ($$$) to start this. The little trailers are already available.
     
  4. Asmodean

    Asmodean Slo motion rider

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    Plants like cow dung too. Maybe we can transport a lot of it to Mars and get rid of the methane here :D Hey, maybe they can even use it for energy (biogas)!
     
  5. Asmodean

    Asmodean Slo motion rider

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    Basicly all we need are goats to get rid of waste and cows to produce poo for energy and grow plants. Oh yeah, and bees for pollination.
     
  6. BlondeSunshine

    BlondeSunshine Members

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    I think more people need to visit space, it looks amazing. [​IMG]
     
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  7. Logan 5

    Logan 5 Confessed gynephile Lifetime Supporter

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    I'll go when they get a McDonald's and Starbucks up there.
     
  8. themnax

    themnax Senior Member

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    i'm always for learning and seeing something new, and fascinated by the micro-scale complexity of technologies, enabling, and spinning off, from doing so.

    its natural to explore one's surroundings, and as a species, it is a natural need to be doing a lot more of it, for as far and wide as we possibly can.

    an ever expanding sphere which may have no limits. or will find them when we get there, either way.

    there are lots of reasons everything needs to know as much about its surroundings as it can.

    our species is no exception, and that sphere of exploration certainly has a long way to go.

    we've only just reached the edge of our own solar system, and there are several others that are within a reasonable distance as the photon flies.

    and of course within out own solar system, we're only just beginning to learn even the half of it.

    now mass exodus from any planet's gravity well, for an entire sapient species, does ours, or any, planet have the resources it would take, even if we had the knowledge to construct the means?

    but everything we learn, developing the means to explore, becomes something we can use, in some way or another.
     
  9. Logan 5

    Logan 5 Confessed gynephile Lifetime Supporter

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    People talk about how we don't need the space program. Well, a lot of product development is from the space program. Lots of stuff, valuable stuff.
     
  10. sunfighter

    sunfighter Hip Forums Supporter HipForums Supporter

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    We don't need the space program. Let's invest the money in transitioning to sustainable, renewable, energy sources.
     
  11. Asmodean

    Asmodean Slo motion rider

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    On the short term the space program is a luxury not a need. It is good to keep in mind we do not have any place to go yet in space. We most likely have to make it here, together, on our little marble. For centuries to come. That being said, if we get our shit together we can still try to further explore space too :)
     
  12. guerillabedlam

    guerillabedlam _|=|-|=|_

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  13. McFuddy

    McFuddy Visitor

    Do you really think paying half a penny on the tax dollar is too much for space exploration? That's all NASA gets at this point.

    Not sure what the ESA gets.
     
  14. sunfighter

    sunfighter Hip Forums Supporter HipForums Supporter

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    That's a clever way of making $18,000,000,000 a year (NASA budget) seem very small.

    The budget for renewable energy is less than $2,000,000,000.
     
  15. McFuddy

    McFuddy Visitor

    Well it is small considering we're talking about the overall pool it comes out of is tax revenue. I don't think the fact that it is a fraction of a percent of the budget is a particularly clever way of looking at it, it just happens to be the truth put into proper context. I also don't think creating a false choice between the nasa budget and renewable energy research particularly clever either.
     
  16. sunfighter

    sunfighter Hip Forums Supporter HipForums Supporter

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    That's true, it's not really a choice between one or the other. But I was emphasizing my idea that the money should be shifted from one to the other.

    But still, if you add up half a percent here, half a percent there, eventually you have the bloated federal budget.
     
  17. Moonglow181

    Moonglow181 Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    Space exploring should always continue, IMO......
    How else can we learn about ourselves if not to explore new frontiers.......and we may need to go somewhere else some day.....if something happens here.......
    It is those mold spores shooting off from moldy bread looking for new horizons.....:D
     
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  18. sunfighter

    sunfighter Hip Forums Supporter HipForums Supporter

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    I don't really understand how we learn about ourselves by exploring space. Can you explain?

    To be clear, if Earth was in good shape and we had plenty of money, I would like to explore space. I just think we should put our research dollars where it will do the most good.
     
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  19. Moonglow181

    Moonglow181 Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    The more we explore and try to unravel the mysteries of this universe and its origins and possible life elsewhere, the more we learn about ourselves and have a fuller understanding of things, is my sincere opinion..........

    I know we also need to explore the Rain Forest and stop it from being totally destroyed, as well.....There are people who believe that there is every kind of cure to be found there.......so there are lots of things I am in favor of...including protecting for and caring for this planet.
     
  20. sunfighter

    sunfighter Hip Forums Supporter HipForums Supporter

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    Hmmm, I still don't buy your argument about space. For instance, I think we would learn much, much more about ourselves by doing more people-oriented things, like researching the best way to teach math to kids.
     

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