- advanced miniaturization is a key thrust area to enable new science and exploration missions
- ultrasmall sensors, power sources, communication, navigation, and propulsion systems with very low mass, volume and power consumption are needed
- revolutions in electronics and computing will allow reconfigurable, autonomous, "thinking" spacecraft.
-nanotechnology presents a whole new spectrum of opportunities to build device components and systems for entirely new space architectures
- networks of ultrasmall probes on planetary surfaces
- micro-rovers that drive, hop, fly, and burrow
-collection of microspacecraft making a variety of measurements.......
do you think there's always room in the budget for the space program? or..
while space travel is very important, lets get out economy back in check first!!!!
2006-09-09 01:03:17 · 13 answers · asked by river_kiana 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
not always.
2006-09-09 01:04:52 · answer #1 · answered by Spaghetti MY 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By definition, space travel will be "worth it" when the private sector finds it profitable. Many aspects of space travel already are already booming in the private sector, e.g. communications satellites.
The main reason we don't have orbital hotels etc. is because at present, launching that much weight into space is hideously expensive. Space tourism will happen, but the cost of launching a human into space is still awfully high, and there aren't all that many space tourists willing to pay $20 million per trip.
Give it another decade or two and we'll have space planes that drastically reduce the cost of getting into orbit. You won't need money for it in the federal budget either. If it's worth it - and when it's worth it - the private sector will get around to it. All the government needs to do is to step aside and let it happen, rather than smothering a nascent industry in heaps of red tape.
2006-09-09 01:11:00 · answer #2 · answered by Bramblyspam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that it is nothing more than an ego building thing for those at NASA. What is the point? The environment in outer space cannot sustain human life without a space suit, and other life support.
2006-09-09 01:06:59 · answer #3 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the economy is fine, it is after all a competitive one. I also think that space exploration and travel is very important. According to Stephen Hawking, we should start colonizing the moon soon, or this planet wont support us much longer.
2006-09-09 01:10:49 · answer #4 · answered by Hans B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our economy is on the upswing now, so now we're looking at the bigger and batter or the smaller and faster. I don't feel that there's an urgent need for space travel, but I don't think it's too early to start talking about it.
2006-09-09 01:06:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I'd rather feed the starving people on Earth, rather than spending Billions of Dollars on wild goose chases.
2006-09-09 01:05:34 · answer #6 · answered by Dr Dee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only is space travel worth it but space travel is the only reason this species was created!
What this means is that we lose our divine grace from god if we refuse to venture into outer space ie. god loses interest in us and we return to being animals ( hairless apes essentially)!
2006-09-09 03:08:55 · answer #7 · answered by zamir 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not worth it!
We must first become masters of our own planets problems before looking for new 'turf' to explore and impose ourselves upon.
2006-09-16 10:17:36 · answer #8 · answered by exert-7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is worth it to all the rocket scientists out there.
2006-09-09 01:54:38 · answer #9 · answered by not_prfikt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
eventually one day, i will want to go, but im not sure if its worth it....i mean world is gonna end soon anyways.
2006-09-09 08:47:59 · answer #10 · answered by roxy39_2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure but who knows if it will come about
2006-09-16 15:22:03 · answer #11 · answered by katlvr125 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋