why has our space travel tech not advance as much as our other tech?

Question

If we were able to visit the moon 38 years ago why have we not made very much progress when it comes to space travel?

Its seems like we have moved up in every technology but space travel.

I think advancements in space travel could lead to space mining for rare metals one day, that should be worth funding.

What does AIDS and Cancer have to do with any of this? we have made advancements in that, we are able to keep people with those illness alive for a longer amount of time. Plus we have cured other diseases since then.

Answer 1

"why has our space travel tech not advance as much as our other tech?

If we were able to visit the moon 38 years ago why have we not made very much progress when it comes to space travel?"

Because the spirit of the age changed? Once, really not so very long ago, the thought that moved so many was "let's see what we can do". Now it's "why should we bother to do that, or let anybody else bother to do that either". The technical talent to make these things happen is out there, and mostly serving lattes at Starbuck's, because those in a position to decide where the money and jobs go won't let them do what they could do, given half a chance.

Where there is no will, there is no way.

Answer 2

You are mistaking a lack of progress for a lack of advancement in technology. The space shuttle is still one of the most complex machines ever built by humans. I'd hardly call it low tech and even today it is constantly being improved...despite the fact that we are making very little progress in space science while using the shuttle as a glorified pickup truck.

Likewise, the International Space Station makes use of some of the latest advancements in technolgy...again, despite it not being a very progressive way to explore space.

I would also point out that many of our automated probes racing across the solar system are quite advanced, including some that use ion drive systems. The Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter has the most advanced camera and communication system ever put on a spacecraft...it blows away anything we've ever done before.

You need to separate the technological aspects of space science from the politcal aspects. We didn't go the moon because we could, we went to the moon to beat the Soviets. Period. What you complain about is a lack of politcal progress in regard to space exploration. To that end, you have to look at the priorities of the voters. Look at the reaction to Bush's plan to go to Mars...people laugh at it and think it's a waste of resources. There's your answer right there.

Answer 3

Travel, maybe not, but think of everything else we have done.
Do you have any idea how many satellites are orbiting earth right now? Have you seen pictures of god's eye? Yea, go to the website.

Think about the economy.

Research receives only a finite sum of money, and not all of the funds contribute to expansion, many go to finding a cure for cancer.

Would you give a dollar so that we could land on the moon again, or so that we could cure cancer?

Answer 4

Moon race in 50s and 60s was race against communists. They were afraid Soviets will beat us to space and gain advantage over us. It was whole cold war, space race sparked by fear of communists. We don't have space race like that any more.

But they sent out lot of spacecrafts to visit pretty much all planets in solar system and beyond. NASA landed few crafts on Mars, also Titan(Saturn's moon) and other planets too. There have been plenty of advances, but moon is really expensive.

You're probably right that not much changed regarding rocket thing. Rocket fuels still push things out to space, but its one thing to develop advanced electronics and another thing with pushing things out to space. But they do have lot of ideas on paper. It will be some time until those idea can be realized.


China will probably beat us to moon this time. They got space program designed to put men on moon.

Answer 5

I agree with the first answerer.... decreased interest and funding in the past few administrations have slowed the progress in space exploration. It's a shame, but until there is some renewed interest by the public who can then convey that to their representatives in the government, NASA won't be getting any higher on the priority list.

:D

Answer 6

Where are we gonna go?

We didn't have a space station 40 years ago. Lot's of new technology there. Private companies are offering "space tours". Didn't have that in 1969.

Where is a cure for AIDS? Cancer?

I think you need to think about what has been accomplished and what hasn't.

Answer 7

They need privatization for space travel. Nobody is interested in improving space technology. The political propaganda of the Moon race is long gone, therefore, there's not interest in space travel. I guess some people think, "seen one rock, seen 'em all!"

Answer 8

No interest - lack of funding!

Answer 9

because no body wants to fund it

Answer 10

There's no oil on the other planets, why would we go there?