Here's that Video of Space Shuttle Endeavour I promised

[Saladsamurai]

Back from Florida! Keep in mind the launch was much more intense then the video! It was 2:30 am, and it lit up the pitch black skies and then sunk into the clouds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFR_sXs4KjQ".

 

[russ_watters]

Very cool. I really need ot get to one before the program gets cancelled.

 

[Pythagorean]

back story? I would suggest putting it in the details of the youtube vid too.

 

[hypatia]

Launchs are the most coolest thing, I've have ever seen. When you get really close the ground shakes, and its blinding in its brightness. Back in the 1960's news men would drop to there knees in awe. So glad you got to see it.

 

[Saladsamurai]

Very cool. I really need ot get to one before the program gets cancelled.

Do you mean the space program in general is being cancelled? Or just this particular one? I had heard plans that new shuttle were going to be built. Is that not true?

 

[Laura1013]

I love night launches! So beautiful. Where were you, one of the viewing areas off of the interstate?

Do you mean the space program in general is being cancelled? Or just this particular one? I had heard plans that new shuttle were going to be built. Is that not true?

The Space Shuttle program is being shut down and the shuttles are being retired by 2010. The new Constellation Program will begin flying a few years afterwards with the Ares rockets.

 

[Saladsamurai]

I love night launches! So beautiful. Where were you, one of the viewing areas off of the interstate?



The Space Shuttle program is being shut down and the shuttles are being retired by 2010. The new Constellation Program will begin flying a few years afterwards with the Ares rockets.

So the shuttled that are in use now will be retired. But this does not mean there won't be any more manned missions to space right? There will always be a "space" program of sorts in the works right?

 

[Cyrus]

So the shuttled that are in use now will be retired. But this does not mean there won't be any more manned missions to space right? There will always be a "space" program of sorts in the works right?

Probably not. Too expensive. What are the astronauts doing up there anyways?

 

[Laura1013]

Sarcasm, I assume, Cyrus?

So the shuttled that are in use now will be retired. But this does not mean there won't be any more manned missions to space right? There will always be a "space" program of sorts in the works right?

Sorry Saladsamurai, I wasn't clear. Unmanned space missions are currently flown using rockets, not space shuttles. Rocket launches occur frequently around the world for various reasons (military, communication, weather/climate, and yes, space exploration). Those will not stop when the shuttles are retired.

After the Space Shuttles are retired, the U.S. manned space program will be on hold until the Ares rockets can get Orion (the crew vehicle) flying, maybe by 2014. In the meantime, Russia will continue launching manned missions to the International Space Station.

 

[Cyrus]

No, I am serious. What are they doing that robots can't do cheaper and better? These things cost a LOTTTTTTT of money every time they blow up and kill people.

 

[binzing]

I agree Cyrus. Space exploration is cool and all, but with all the problems on EARTH we could seriously use some of that massive funding the space programs get to help with ummm war, world hunger and disease, global warming and climate change, etc.

 

[binzing]

Also, salad, did you check out the place I suggested? I know it was rather short notice.

 

[Laura1013]

I agree Cyrus. Space exploration is cool and all, but with all the problems on EARTH we could seriously use some of that massive funding the space programs get to help with ummm war, world hunger and disease, global warming and climate change, etc.

Huge misconception there. The manned space program receives an extremely low amount of funding compared to the military and many other U.S. government programs. Re-directing money away from NASA will solve nothing whatsoever and will only create a huge hole where NASA used to be. NASA actually does a contribute to research on climate change, global warming, etc.

To quote a geologist: "Don't send a robot to do a human's job." Robots are fantastic. I love robotic missions. There are some things that robots simply cannot do, and human space exploration is needed.

Edited to add: I specify NASA because I'm not very familiar with other nations' space programs.

 

[Cyrus]

Did the space shuttle contribute to research on climate change and global warming? I thought that was due to NASA satellites tracking weather patterns. Not the space shuttle. Also, isn't the space shuttle somewhere around a billion dollars each? Thats still mighty expensive for something that only goes up for a week or two at a time. What are the astronauts doing that robots can't do?

 

[binzing]

Yeah, I mean of course some aspects of the space programs help with these problems, but some are extraneously damn expensive.

 

[Cyrus]

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/information/shuttle_faq.html#1

Sorry, $1.7 billion for a two week trip to space. The shuttle program never really lived up to its promise.

 

[binzing]

And that much money would pay for how much of: a research mission in the Arctic, a medical trip to a third world country, etc.?

 

[Cyrus]

Why would you give it to medical trips for third world countries?

Are you joking? No way.

 

[binzing]

Is that a joke?

 

[Cyrus]

Nope.

 

[Laura1013]

Did the space shuttle contribute to research on climate change and global warming? I thought that was due to NASA satellites tracking weather patterns. Not the space shuttle. Also, isn't the space shuttle somewhere around a billion dollars each? Thats still mighty expensive for something that only goes up for a week or two at a time. What are the astronauts doing that robots can't do?

Yes, a lot. And yes, unmanned satellites also conduct Earth observations (most of them, I'd guess). In some cases, astronauts were needed to deploy such satellites into space.

You can start Googling for specific examples. A comprehensive list of experiments done on the ISS (which is accessed by the space shuttle and Russian rockets) can be found here: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/iss_factsheets.html . In the early days of the shuttle program, it flew its own lab for experiments called Spacelab, which you can also read about. I know they also conducted Earth studies, but I can't find a good website listing them.

I'm not an expert on the science accomplished by the manned space program or the contributions to Earth science by the space program, but I do know that my ignorance doesn't mean those contributions don't exist. NASA does an impressive amount of science with the little funding it's given. I agree it's expensive, and more should be done to lower the cost. I read once that for every $1 the government gives NASA, NASA brings back $3 into the economy. That's far better than some of the money-draining gov programs out there. It's a worthwhile investment.

 

[binzing]

Hmm, maybe because of something known as HUMANITARIAN AID. I still think that they could atleast somewhat cut back on these programs.

 

[Cyrus]

Hmm, maybe because of something known as HUMANITARIAN AID. I still think that they could atleast somewhat cut back on these programs.

I think there are plenty of Ameircan citizens that need help, and they come first on the list. Once they can get healthcare, THEN we can help other people.

Also, I don't agree with cutting back on science programs.

 

[Cyrus]

Yes, a lot. And yes, unmanned satellites also conduct Earth observations (most of them, I'd guess). In some cases, astronauts were needed to deploy such satellites into space.

Id be curious to know in what capacity astronauts were absolutely necessary to launch some of these satellites into orbit.

You can start Googling for specific examples. A comprehensive list of experiments done on the ISS (which is accessed by the space shuttle and Russian rockets) can be found here: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/iss_factsheets.html . In the early days of the shuttle program, it flew its own lab for experiments called Spacelab, which you can also read about. I know they also conducted Earth studies, but I can't find a good website listing them.

Im sure they did experiments. I am saying could those same experiments be done today with a robot?

I'm not an expert on the science accomplished by the manned space program or the contributions to Earth science by the space program, but I do know that my ignorance doesn't mean those contributions don't exist. NASA does an impressive amount of science with the little funding it's given. I agree it's expensive, and more should be done to lower the cost. I read once that for every $1 the government gives NASA, NASA brings back $3 into the economy. That's far better than some of the money-draining gov programs out there. It's a worthwhile investment.

Im not complaining about spending less on NASA. I am saying is it worth having NASA blow the money it does have on something that does not deliver on its promise? The shuttle was designed with the goal in mind to be going up into space very regularly. Instead, the down time between launches is much, much, much, longer. I saw a program about this on the history channel. I think they bought the shuttle hoping to send one up almost every other week or something. (Though I could be wrong on the down time). The point is; however, that its much longer today than it was supposed to be, and hence a bad investment.

 

[binzing]

Yes there are American citizens that need help, but I think that people should truly be equal and should receive help on equal priority. And no, I'm not saying provide universal healthcare for all the world from our pockets, just helping, like with clean water, malaria prevention, AIDS.
No, I don't think getting rid of science programs is good either, its just that when there are only such and such percentage of helpful information coming back from something that brings back huge amounts of information, there should be emphasis on expanding the more helpful research. I know its a bad description, but my descriptions always suck.

 

[Cyrus]

Yes there are American citizens that need help, but I think that people should truly be equal and should receive help on equal priority. And no, I'm not saying provide universal healthcare for all the world from our pockets, just helping, like with clean water, malaria prevention, AIDS.
No, I don't think getting rid of science programs is good either, its just that when there are only such and such percentage of helpful information coming back from something that brings back huge amounts of information, there should be emphasis on expanding the more helpful research. I know its a bad description, but my descriptions always suck.

The simple fact is, people are not equal: American citizens take the top of the list. I don't want to derail this thread though, so we can start one on the side if you want to go into this topic.

 

[Laura1013]

Id be curious to know in what capacity astronauts were absolutely necessary to launch some of these satellites into orbit.

I don't know. Look it up.

Im sure they did experiments. I am saying could those same experiments be done today with a robot?

No, or else they would have been done with robots.

Im not complaining about spending less on NASA. I am saying is it worth having NASA blow the money it does have on something that does not deliver on its promise? The shuttle was designed with the goal in mind to be going up into space very regularly. Instead, the down time between launches is much, much, much, longer. I saw a program about this on the history channel. I think they bought the shuttle hoping to send one up almost every other week or something. (Though I could be wrong on the down time). The point is; however, that its much longer today than it was supposed to be, and hence a bad investment.

Some people do see the Shuttle program as a disappointment. I'm an optimist; I find the good in the program, what it actually did accomplish and what it continues to deliver even now. Could it have been better? Yes. Hopefully we can learn from mistakes and not repeat them with the next manned space program.

The simple fact is, people are not equal: American citizens take the top of the list. I don't want to derail this thread though, so we can start one on the side if you want to go into this topic.

In terms of American tax dollars, yes. In a morality sense, I disagree with you, but that really is a whole other thread topic.

Edited to add: Sorry, I misread you. Could past astronaut experiments be done by today's robots? Maybe some of them, but at the time, no. Future technology has endless possibilities, but that doesn't stop us from acting today.

 

[Cyrus]

I don't know. Look it up.

Fair point.

No, or else they would have been done with robots.

Im not sure if I can buy that argument though. It would look very bad if NASA had a fleet of $1.7 billion dollar space shuttle sitting on the ground because they could do it via. robots.

Some people do see the Shuttle program as a disappointment. I'm an optimist; I find the good in the program, what it actually did accomplish and what it continues to deliver even now. Could it have been better? Yes. Hopefully we can learn from mistakes and not repeat them with the next manned space program.

Im not sure what a manned space program would accomplish, given the advancement of robotics since the first shuttle was built.

Edited to add: Sorry, I misread you. Could past astronaut experiments be done by today's robots? Maybe some of them, but at the time, no. Future technology has endless possibilities, but that doesn't stop us from acting today.

Sure, at the time I'll agree with you on that. But that's why I am not a big fan of sending people into space today. A robot can be in space for years doing research. An astronaut is there for a week or two.

 

[Laura1013]

But that's why I am not a big fan of sending people into space today. A robot can be in space for years doing research. An astronaut is there for a week or two.

Astronauts on ISS Expeditions are up there for 100 – 200 days, lots of time to get experiments done! The current plan for the future is to create a permanent manned presence on the Moon. Unlike the Apollo missions, which really were just a few days, astronauts living on the Moon for months at a time will be able to accomplish a lot. It should be noted that robots and astronauts will work together, with robotic missions probably preceding manned missions.

 

[Cyrus]

But why do you need a $1.7 billion dollar space shuttle to get there, when you can do it with a russian capsule.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_ spacecraft

Says "Currently, the Soyuz spacecraft family is still in service and has launched more manned space missions than any other platform."

http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/library/news/2005/space-050818-rianovosti03.htm

Thats a huge price difference, $65 million to $1.7 billion. Of course, its less capable, but if you want to get to the ISS, it works.