[meteorite-list] The Human Presence in the Solar System

From: Jeff Kuyken <info_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:17:52 +1100
Message-ID: <18F4EA4706684B8785026219A8D5F797_at_JeffPC>

>Would there be as many people interested in science if NASA had never
>so much as launched a rocket?

A very thought provoking question!

Cheers,

Jeff


----- Original Message -----
From: "Meteorites USA" <eric at meteoritesusa.com>
To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2011 9:26 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Human Presence in the Solar System


> Let the data and knowledge speak for itself.
>
> Voyager I & II
> Apollo Missions
> Space Shuttle Missions
> Hubble (without which many of these missions would not have been possible
> or even considered)
> Spitzer
> StarDust
> Dawn
> EPOXI
> WISE
> Spirit
> Opportunity
> Curiosity (coming soon to a planet near you)
> Messenger
> Hyabusa (not ours, but worth doing)
> Kepler (perhaps the most important)
>
> And many many more successful missions.
>
> What else do they want? Come on... The government dropped $700+ Billion on
> the banks and auto manufacturers... Why can't they spare $100 Billion for
> the advancement and preservation of the human species?
>
> What the advancement of the space program (which has a direct influence on
> the advancement and survival of the human species) has achieved both
> intrinsically, and scientifically is immeasurable in dollars. Knowledge is
> priceless. It's also the most precious and valuable thing in the universe,
> we should cherish it, where it came from, and how we gained it. More
> advanced technology, more businesses, more scientists, and more money has
> been pumped into the economy than can be accurately measured since the
> beginning of the space program. A student today, who watches the Moon
> landing on video for the first time may be motivated to study astronomy,
> or become an astronaut themselves. They may join the military, become a
> pilot, and perhaps fly a real space craft.
>
> Humans are curious. We want to know. It's in our nature, it's what makes
> us human.
>
> Would there be as many people interested in science if NASA had never so
> much as launched a rocket? Would there be as many astronomers and
> scientific discoveries if Hubble never existed? The Hubble Deep Field is a
> perfect example. 1,500 galaxies discovered. Then as if that weren't good
> enough, another photo was taken, this time deeper into the blackness of
> space. The Hubble Ultra Deep Field. One photograph 10,000 galaxies in a
> section of space equal to only 1/12700000th of the total area of sky. If
> the whole sky was photographed and the same data holds true throughout,
> that's 127 Billion galaxies in the visible/observable universe. And that's
> not to say there's not more, considering that's at the limits of current
> technological possibility. If we could see further, would we see more
> galaxies? Yeah, I'd say that's a safe bet.
>
> The economical effects may not be measurable. What is the effects of the
> money that's injected back into the economy by those entrepreneurs that
> were inspired to start a new business or create a new technology based on
> what they learned through the space program? If we never had the space
> program would we have the technological advancement we have today? Would
> there be as many scientists advancing human knowledge at an ever growing
> exponential rate?
>
> Regards,
> Eric
>
>
>
> On 3/19/2011 12:47 AM, Greg Hupe wrote:
>> A successful round-about mission around Mercury by NASA would 'hopefully'
>> PROVE a few of our bucks is worth the 'Investment'!!!
>>
>> Best Regards,
>> Greg
>>
>> ====================
>> Greg Hupe
>> The Hupe Collection
>> gmhupe at centurylink.net
>> www.LunarRock.com
>> IMCA 3163
>> ====================
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: Richard Kowalski
>> Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2011 3:26 AM
>> To: Meteorite List ; Sterling K. Webb
>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] The Human Presence in the Solar System
>>
>> Sterling
>>
>> A Golden Age INDEED!
>>
>> A number of years ago I was discussing a dear friend and mentor's career
>> over another fine dinner and many bottles of fine wines.
>>
>> I lamented how exciting it must have been to be involved in Planetary
>> Science through the 70s & 80s and that I had missed it. He immediately
>> responded that we were now in a much more exciting time and the future
>> was more exciting still.
>>
>> I've come to appreciate his perspective and agree that we are in an
>> incredible period of the exploration of our Solar System. Unfortunately
>> one that could be in severe danger. As was reported recently, major
>> missions are at risk of cuts and cancellation. I hope most of you on this
>> list, regardless of your political stripe, believe that this exploration
>> is important and should continue. The only way to make this happen is to
>> make your opinions heard, and I don't mean on this list.
>>
>> Contact your Representative, Senator and the President. They are the ones
>> putting this Golden Age at risk...
>>
>> --
>> Richard Kowalski
>> Full Moon Photography
>> IMCA #1081
>>
>>
>>
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Received on Sat 19 Mar 2011 10:17:52 PM PDT