Saturn 5

[Hank]

Assumptions are necessary at the beginning but the iterative process of evaluating a theory relative to new evidence tends to balance out initial assumptions. This only works if you are truly willing to challenge preconceived notions based upon new evidence. Those that are opposed to evolutionary theory tend to start with a strongly held belief system based upon ancient texts. 

Please understand that I consider myself a religious person but I am also a scientist. The scientific evidence for evolution (when viewed from an unbiased perspective) simply does not support a literal interpretation of the biblical creation story. 

You're looking at too small of a system. Consider the universe as a whole. For it to become more organized, more complex over time, where did the energy input come from?

Two basic questions that no physicist, astronomer or apologist has ever been able to answer:

During the Big Bang, all of the matter in the universe began to expand rapidly [recently suggested to be faster than lightspeed]. So, I ask:

1. Where did all of the matter in the universe come from? The answer "it was always there, and always highly concentrated" is trite.
2. Why did it suddenly begin to expand? Again, "it was so dense that it was unstable" is trite.

I have yet to see a theory that explains either of these. Also, current theories about the huge amount of Dark Matter that must exist to make current theories correct is also hokum, simply the 21st century equivalent of the Victorian era "ether" that they needed to make their theories [now judged to be laughably wrong] work. So our current theories explain how 15% of the universe works, assuming that there is another 85% out there behaving similarly that we can neither see nor detect? No, I remain unconvinced; it the theory doesn't work, adjust the theory! Instead they are manipulating the data and sowing distrust. But enough of that, this forum is about our wonderful Mooneys!

Fortunately, we seem to have a good grasp on the theories of aerodynamics, even though it's hard to obtain wide consensus on engine operation and power management techniques! Much less little things like the proper use of flaps . . .    These heady subjects are best discussed over tall, cold beverages when the day's flying is complete.

[Yetti]

The DO Defense created the GPS network which is why the hold the codes to turn it off and on and the fine digits. They created it for better navigation for battle field navigation. It's what cruise missiles use.  the story is told of the former mission control room makeover.   The tracking board on the back wall of MC was a piece of glass painted black with a x y nail that scratched off the black paint so a light could shine through.

[1964-M20E]

I don't have an issue with space exploration as long as private dollars are used.

I don't want to waste my tax dollars to learn that there is ice on Mars and maybe liquid water. It doesn't excite me. We have ice and water on Earth. 

I don't want my tax dollars wasted chasing some dreamers that we may find life on Mars or somewhere else. I really don't care. We have human beings starving and dying here on Earth. 

When we solve all our problems here then we can talk about space. Let's get our priorities straight.

 

 

 

You are welcome to your opinion and strive on.

I counter and venture to say that we have spent way more public dollars and private dollars feeding the poor in this country and around the world and all we have done is propagate a culture of poverty.

In the 50's, 60's, 70's and possibly the 80's it was exclusively or almost entirely public dollars spent on space.  Today public and private dollars are being invested in space technology and that will ultimately advance our understanding of the world and the universe.  Does it really matter that the sun will self destruct in 4 billion years?  For you and me not in the least, but it is nice to know.

If we were able to sustain the level of effort put forth in the 50's and 60's through to today I think we would have gone to Mars or established a moon colony in the 80's or at least by the 90's.  However, expanded social programs, rampant inflation, oil embargo and Vietnam exhausted our ability to continue at that pace.

I was 4 years old when man first walked on the moon by far the longest journey any human has ever made in recorded history.  Still a great achievement and I am proud to say the we the US did it.

I'd like to see a world wide coalition work on getting to Mars similar to the ISS but then the bureaucrats an bureaucracy would enter and rule the day.

 

 

 

 

[N201MKTurbo]

The space business is alive and well. There is a building (Orbital) with a full blown space simulator next to where I work. They are expanding their facility right now. They must be making some money!

[Guest]

I was thinking about that the other day.... for a supposedly peaceful nation we have been at war with someone for most of our history.  It almost makes you want to add up all the years of conflict and figure out the percentage

Now if all of America would convert to Islam the peaceful religion, things would wonderful.

Clarence

[Piloto]

Unknown to many there are giant cucarachas underneath the Mars surface. That is what is going to be mankind first contact with aliens. Roaches are known to survive in rigorous environment over millions of years. What a disappointment after travelling for a year and $100 trillion the only thing astronauts will bring back are giant cucarachas.

Most people think that alien life will be in the form of animals. But most likely will be plant life. Plants can survive with just sunlight and water. For animals to survive plant life needs to be there first. BTW there are male and female plants. How they do is quite interesting  http://www.nature.com/hdy/journal/v88/n2/full/6800016a.html

José   

[Andy95W]

Cucarachas?  I thought they were Chupacabras.

[Hank]

Cucarachas?  I thought they were Chupacabras.

neither would be welcome companions for the year-long return trip!

[jetdriven]

Not only will humans never go to Mars, we'll never go back to the moon!

During the Apollo years in the 60's when we went to the moon NASA's budget was around 5% of the federal budget. Today it's about 1% and shrinking.

It was an easy sell back then due to the cold war and national security. Today it's not that easy to sell it to the taxpayer.

Whatever a human can do a robot can do better and cheaper and without risking loss of life.

it's 0.5%.  

 

Its also less than we spent on air conditioning in Iraq and Afghanistan.  

[ryoder]

I love science and space but I think the future is in drones.  Here on the earth and on Mars.

Lets get drones to terraform Mars and then populate it with dinosaurs.  We can then get more realistic footage for the next Jurassic park movie.

[Andy95W]

"We shall not cease from exploration, 

And the end of all our exploring 

Will be to arrive where we started 

And know the place for the first time."

-T S Eliot

[PTK]

       "Man has gone out to explore other worlds and other civilizations without having explored his own labyrinth of dark passages and secret chambers, and without finding what lies behind doorways that he himself has sealed."    Stanislaw Lem

Edited September 26, 2015 by PTK

[jbs007]

it's 0.5%.  

 

Its also less than we spent on air conditioning in Iraq and Afghanistan.  

I can validate that!  In the middle of summer I have to put long johns on to sleep comfortably under the covers (during the day; we fly at night).  All fancy "ductless" AC systems.