Taikonauts, astronauts, cosmonauts: people are going back to the Moon, and on to Mars. Just today, the OV-105 Endeavor linked up with the International Space Station, which now has a baker's dozen on board.
I can't even imagine volunteering for a Mars flight that could take five years round trip, if everything goes according to plan. Can you?
Meanwhile, the USA needs to get back into the NASA program in a big way. We need another Julian W. Scheer in the PR department, man! The USA only has three space shuttles in service, with retirement right over the horizon: besides Endeavor, there are still also Atlantis and Discovery. We don't do it, we'll get passed right on by like the horseman, by Brazil, India, Japan, Russia, China, and private corporations (Dr. No anyone?).
Competition is supposed to get the blood flowing, not ebbing. Get to it, Americans, or become the Final Frontier's once-rocked, now barely nods off into dreamyland country.
Skylab -- 1970s! Soyuz. What détente can do, comrades. And if you're ever in Grand Rapids, Michigan, check out the Gerald R. Ford Museum -- it's very cool. Check out the 70s room in particular, after the Watergate display. It's really worth a visit. Last of the mod Republican presidents, after Ike Eisenhower.
Today's Rune: The Mystery Rune.
9 comments:
It was renamed ENDEVOUR for this trip.
No one replicate our and the Soviets opening up the way to space. What difference does it make who get's to Mars or the moon next...in either case you know they will find America has already been there and left behind some gadgets.
I don't think space can become proprietary, like the lands founds as the Europeans went about to conquer the globe...there's just to much of it to be had, Dune.
Was I correct in thinking I heard something about another manned flight to the moon this week? But that it's going to take until 2018 or 2020? So, it took us 8 years without computers or digital technology back in the 60's, and now it would take us just as long or longer.
How about world dominance in the manufacturing of automobiles first? Can we at least do that? Regain marketshare?
Thanks for the comments, y'all!
A couple years ago, there was an inspiring article in Atlantic or Harpers that proposed the energizing effects of a Mars mission, rallying, with lots of good effects economically and on the morale of us all -- makes sense to me. Think big, get inspired. Why not? Beats the alternatives
I (gulp) do not want to fly for 5 years to go anywhere.
5 years....eek.
I'm already bored at the office and I leave it like twice a day, so 500 days in space is just too much, I will miss the fresh air and sun!
Can't we solve Earth environemntal issues and poverty before spending billions in space?
Five years there and back is it? My family annoys me but I doubt I could go ten years without seeing them.
And why are we going to the moon again?
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