international space station
- Thread starter Taz
- Start date
Current cost is 150 billion USD (Google's numbers, not verified)
Has it discovered something earth shattering? No, not really. Could experiments have been done cheaper? Probably. Is it a bad idea? Well, it was originally "Mir" and, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the US shelved their plans to build one, and signed an agreement to share "Mir". Other nations have signed on, including the UK, so it is a good example of collaboration. You also should not discount its symbolism.
Personally, I think the cessation of the space race was a massive backwards step for humanity - its not as if we used the money to save the planet - and any form of presence in space that can help bring about the restart of space exploration is a good thing.
Has it discovered something earth shattering? No, not really. Could experiments have been done cheaper? Probably. Is it a bad idea? Well, it was originally "Mir" and, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the US shelved their plans to build one, and signed an agreement to share "Mir". Other nations have signed on, including the UK, so it is a good example of collaboration. You also should not discount its symbolism.
Personally, I think the cessation of the space race was a massive backwards step for humanity - its not as if we used the money to save the planet - and any form of presence in space that can help bring about the restart of space exploration is a good thing.
Waste of time and money.
If the Earth is dying and a new world needs to be found, when exactly is this going to be?
If they find a new world and a way of getting people there to repopulate it, can you imagine the type of people that will be the start of a new human race?
I think I would rather live out my days on a doomed crumbling Earth. (Not that I would ever be able to afford the ticket to go anyway)
If the Earth is dying and a new world needs to be found, when exactly is this going to be?
If they find a new world and a way of getting people there to repopulate it, can you imagine the type of people that will be the start of a new human race?
I think I would rather live out my days on a doomed crumbling Earth. (Not that I would ever be able to afford the ticket to go anyway)
I watch the station live most nights on and off and fascinating to watch some of the experiments and research along with the space walks.
http://www.n2yo.com/space-station/
I think you need to understand somewhat the types of experiments that can't be undertaken on earth and only in Space, some of which could save us in years to come.
The Spacestation is a great human achievement and if people think its a waste of time and money then just think 100 years ago most of us didn't even have electricity. Problem is today we take things far too much for granted, much to our peril.
Tim.
http://www.n2yo.com/space-station/
I think you need to understand somewhat the types of experiments that can't be undertaken on earth and only in Space, some of which could save us in years to come.
The Spacestation is a great human achievement and if people think its a waste of time and money then just think 100 years ago most of us didn't even have electricity. Problem is today we take things far too much for granted, much to our peril.
Tim.
Nictrix said:Any chance you could explain for us dummies what experiments they are carrying out that might save us in the future?
The amount of experiments undertaken is mind blowing, biochemical, medical etc etc, I don't pretend to understand any of it, but the ISS is commisoned by many companies to undertake experimental research, medical or otherwise which can't be undertaken on earth and I imagine its cheaper done in space than trying to replicate on earth the required conditions space gives.
http://mentalfloss.com/article/59639/12-cool-experiments-done-international-space-station
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments_category.html
Tim.
alane29 said:There sketchy about what exactly there doing when I read up about it once ,"research" and "looking for other worlds "
It fascinates me TBH so much so I was trying to spot it in the sky during the summer but no joy ..
There's a free app called ISS Spotter that tells you where the ISS is at any given time, and also when it will pass over your location... As well as your chances of seeing it given the cloud cover. It's really cool, even shows you the direction it's coming from in the sky.
The ISS is so much more than a money pit. It's a massive achievement that brings the world closer together. It's never going to be a money spinner but there will be discoveries made up there, that would never have been made down here. If we had never climbed out of the sea and taken that first step, we would still have gills.