As many here, I suspect, did - I grew up with the Mercury/Gemini/Apollo programs. Watched all the launches; was thrilled by Earth Rise on Apollo 8; and was glued to the television during Apollo 11. I even got an engineering degree based on that interest. Even learning later that JFK's pronouncement on putting a (US) man on the moon by 1969 was political rather than aspirational, it didn't change those memories.
But now, we've gone from all that to the real life incarnations of Weyland Corporation (Alien); space to be used for personal gain and exploitation - and control. How long before the trillionaires begin creating the Mars colonies as "Earth is doomed". All their wealth could significantly help address many of Earth's problems - climate, energy, and food. But they want to take their riches and leave. And there are already over 44,000 satellites and other objects in space; how much more junk needs to be put up there?
The robotic missions and deep-space telescopes continue to amaze with all that's out there. We can do those - and inspire future generations, but humanity should create a world worth living for everyone before letting the trillionaires and their acolytes steal the agenda with claims intended to benefit only them.
Thank you, Tom. I was going to mention the colossal number of man-made objects currently in orbit. Unregulated Capitalism running amok, with corporations racing to monopolize anything they can. Imagine if one company came to control the ability of us all to utilize something like GPS. Think the price might go up? Hmm. China has satellites aloft, sure, and even their own space station, but their operations in space are surely dwarfed by those of "the West." I have heard the argument that we should leave space alone and resolve our earthly problems first. Those problems scream more loudly with every passing day. Two interrelated observations on that stance: 1.) the US possesses the wealth to already have a human presence on Mars--which I do advocate for!--but the obscenely rich never pay their fair share of taxes; indeed, the current admin. in D.C. wants to gut actual science by NASA; 2.) therefore, what's lacking is called the POLITICAL WILL. The will to address the Climate Catastrophe unfolding all around us, to curb the spread of resurgent deadly diseases, address famine, etc. ad nauseam. Because the rich might have to cough up a little more of their income!! So Mr. Musk or Mr. Bezos, or some dark horse private entity, will almost certainly get to Mars before anyone who could claim they went there "For all Mankind." ... Not directly related: I see that The Donald's nominee to replace Tulsi Gabbard bears the surname Pulte. Pulte is one of the major US homebuilding corporations. And this guy says he's itching to lay off "hundreds" from the US "Intel community." Gee, could we some day see fewer than EIGHTEEN US "Intel agencies"?? Shocking!!
Hello Gregory.... I've Read that the Space-X Prospectus has a passage that Space-X plans to put Millions of Star-Link Satellites in Orbit, and that Collisions & Space-Junk is a Feature.... With 'X', Space-X. and DOGE. Is Elon Musk a Bond-Villain?...
I echo your desire for the safe space, in space and here on earth. Unfortunately, the chokehold by monied interests on most every aspect of legislative remedy and organizing potential mean that the slap in the face from chaos, whether driven by climate disaster, nuclear Armageddon, mass migration, or some combination, might be the only thing that can save us.
As many here, I suspect, did - I grew up with the Mercury/Gemini/Apollo programs. Watched all the launches; was thrilled by Earth Rise on Apollo 8; and was glued to the television during Apollo 11. I even got an engineering degree based on that interest. Even learning later that JFK's pronouncement on putting a (US) man on the moon by 1969 was political rather than aspirational, it didn't change those memories.
But now, we've gone from all that to the real life incarnations of Weyland Corporation (Alien); space to be used for personal gain and exploitation - and control. How long before the trillionaires begin creating the Mars colonies as "Earth is doomed". All their wealth could significantly help address many of Earth's problems - climate, energy, and food. But they want to take their riches and leave. And there are already over 44,000 satellites and other objects in space; how much more junk needs to be put up there?
The robotic missions and deep-space telescopes continue to amaze with all that's out there. We can do those - and inspire future generations, but humanity should create a world worth living for everyone before letting the trillionaires and their acolytes steal the agenda with claims intended to benefit only them.
Thank you, Tom. I was going to mention the colossal number of man-made objects currently in orbit. Unregulated Capitalism running amok, with corporations racing to monopolize anything they can. Imagine if one company came to control the ability of us all to utilize something like GPS. Think the price might go up? Hmm. China has satellites aloft, sure, and even their own space station, but their operations in space are surely dwarfed by those of "the West." I have heard the argument that we should leave space alone and resolve our earthly problems first. Those problems scream more loudly with every passing day. Two interrelated observations on that stance: 1.) the US possesses the wealth to already have a human presence on Mars--which I do advocate for!--but the obscenely rich never pay their fair share of taxes; indeed, the current admin. in D.C. wants to gut actual science by NASA; 2.) therefore, what's lacking is called the POLITICAL WILL. The will to address the Climate Catastrophe unfolding all around us, to curb the spread of resurgent deadly diseases, address famine, etc. ad nauseam. Because the rich might have to cough up a little more of their income!! So Mr. Musk or Mr. Bezos, or some dark horse private entity, will almost certainly get to Mars before anyone who could claim they went there "For all Mankind." ... Not directly related: I see that The Donald's nominee to replace Tulsi Gabbard bears the surname Pulte. Pulte is one of the major US homebuilding corporations. And this guy says he's itching to lay off "hundreds" from the US "Intel community." Gee, could we some day see fewer than EIGHTEEN US "Intel agencies"?? Shocking!!
Destruction of the administrative state (and the services for those not in 'the big club') has long been the goal.
Hello Gregory.... I've Read that the Space-X Prospectus has a passage that Space-X plans to put Millions of Star-Link Satellites in Orbit, and that Collisions & Space-Junk is a Feature.... With 'X', Space-X. and DOGE. Is Elon Musk a Bond-Villain?...
He has the accent for it
I echo your desire for the safe space, in space and here on earth. Unfortunately, the chokehold by monied interests on most every aspect of legislative remedy and organizing potential mean that the slap in the face from chaos, whether driven by climate disaster, nuclear Armageddon, mass migration, or some combination, might be the only thing that can save us.
I realize it's science and nobody likes science, but, well ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn0g0CaqofQ
Inspiring! Ya gt me going, LTC Bomber Astore, and alas, BV will get me ghosted and shadow-banned and, well, just banned.
Living on a Planet with One Percent of the Planet on the Dark Side of Humanity (w/ help from Eichmanns)
https://paulokirk.substack.com/p/living-on-a-planet-with-one-percent