why is it important that we continue to look for other forms of space transportation?

Question

is the space shuttle really obsolete?

Answer 1

No matter how good something is, it can always be improved. If people just settled for things, there would never be any technological advances in any field. It's possible that NASA could come up with a more fuel efficient, faster shuttle than the current space shuttle. Actually, I'd say that's inevitable if they keep doing research. It's only a matter of time.

Answer 2

Well some day we may out grow the earths capacity to sustain us, thereby producing the tragedy of commons; too many consumers not enough consumables, and we might have to start colonizing other worlds. If we don't have the technolgy to do this when/if that happens then we die and so does earth. But no matter that is probably a long way off.

Yes the space shuttle is obsolete, it is at least 20 years old or pushing 20 plus or minus a year or two. It has had several refits,upgrades etc. Stuff wears out, we've lost challenger and Columbia.

Answer 3

I've always contended we are going about this space exploration all wrong. I know that brute power is what they have to use to catapult the shuttle to achieve orbit. That is the only way they got right now, I know.
But from the first time I saw the amount of fuel they expend just to place a satellite in orbit, I wondered if they shouldn't be working on something more efficient and a lot less expensive.
I don't know what the solution is, but I have speculated that there has got to be a better way.
We have come a long ways since the Wright brothers first flight.
But we have a long ways to go. Our transport to outer space is primitive to what is needed.

Answer 4

Eventually, this planet is no longer going to be habitable. Wether by mans own devices, a huge Asteroid collision, or the Sun turning Red Giant, a day will come when humans can no longer live here. We need to be investing more time and money than we are trying to learn how to master living in a crossing the vacuum of space, or, eventually, we will die as a species.

The Space shuttles computers were designed 30 years ago. A late modle automobile has more computing power than the space shuttle.

Answer 5

I'd kind of prefer spacecraft that don't burn up on reentry and spill chunks across miles and miles of Texas.

The shuttle is over 25 years old. The design obviously has problems, in addition to not incorporating the latest advances.

In the interests of crew safety, efficiency, and technological progress, I think it's only right that we look to newer forms of space transport.

Answer 6

Space shuttles are expensive and have the tendency to blow up. They are trying to find a cheaper, safer way of sending people into space.

Answer 7

because we got to get out of this place if it's the last thing we ever do