Moon plan 'comes up short
 

I concur with this article.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4263106.stm

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

I think we need to develop a safe and economical orbiter (shuttle replacement), to service and expand the International Space Station, then develop a vehicle that will operate from that.

I totally agree with the article, that the 'heavy lifter' approach is redundant (and wasteful) technology. This, in my opinion, is 'short term-ism' that is not justified by the goal. A moon colony is no more than 'nice to have', at the moment, why not set our sights on the longer term project of a manned mission to Mars?

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

That has to be the best way forward, however...

That 'redundant' approach (Apollo 2.0) may just be the right thing if we're going to be having 'Space Race 2.0' - with China and Japan getting interested too, there's quite a few vying to be in space again.

Two possible reasons that we might 'want' that nice Moon base - to get there before the others do, and maybe to use it as a jumping off point to Mars.

The Space Station may be a great place to launch from, but it's awfully small for storage. So much easier to dump supplies on the Moon and then ferry them up to the SS as required.

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

I think they (NASA) have realised that they better really go and land on the moon and put the stuff they are supposed to have left there in the right places before someone else gets there and exposes them LOL

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

:rofl: POST OF THE MONTH :rofl:

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

Breaking news - the model of the luner lander has mysteriously dissapeared from the Science museum exhibit.

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

oh no, what have i started :)

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

I would love to nip to the moon before the USA gets there again, and place a DFS sale leaflet, and a solar powered high power hifi playing the Jamster advert.

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

I'ld send the Blooming frog

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

<Grams - X-Files theme...> :D

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

Seeing the moon has no atmosphere, I doubt they'd notice the Jamster advert...

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

All the better :)

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

LOL has to be one don't there ;)

Re: Moon plan 'comes up short
 

Well they'll just have to make their own entertainment, then...! :D

(With apologies to Terry Pratchett! :) )