On The Moon - 45 Years Ago

[Big Guy]

Forty five years ago we heard a static charged "That's one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind".

This giant leap has not been followed by many more leaps. What happened? Why are we losing interest in space exploration?

[GostHacked]

For the past few days I've been watching a lot on the moon missions, the space race between the USSR and USA. Shuttle missions, ect ect .. all while playing this Kerbal Space Program game (NASA sandbox type game) ...

What else could we accomplish if funding for weapons went into peaceful space exploration ........ Could have colonies on the moon by now. Time to take another giant leap.

[bush_cheney2004]

...This giant leap has not been followed by many more leaps. What happened? Why are we losing interest in space exploration?

Not true at all.....lots of significant leaps have been made to far more distant solar system objects with flyby/orbiter/lander spacecraft. Hubble and other projects have greatly expanded what is known and theorized about "space". Earth based science still make new discoveries without even going into space. As for "we" and "why", apparently it is always up to somebody else to pay the bill.

[cybercoma]

The moon landing was fake, just like Global Warming.

[-1=e^ipi]

Wont the Mars One missions happen within a decade?

The moon landing was fake, just like Global Warming.

Trolling?

[cybercoma]

What's trolling? Trolling is also fake. It's just a way for people like you and your ilk to silence their opposition.

Edited July 20, 2014 by cybercoma

[waldo]

...like you and your ilk

I call trademark infringement!

GH's point about military expenditures is a significant contributor, particularly in regards the profiled NASA case. NASA desires and budgets have been so re-prioritized and/or cutback that it's now forced to partner with other countries simply to get up into space. And no, the privatized shift, to-date, has not compensated for the change.

it quite obviously doesn't help to have a Republican led U.S. Congress that doesn't value and/or believe in science... and recognize the obvious spin-off technologies and societal impacts space exploration garnered.

[bush_cheney2004]

Relative "space program" expenditures by nation are depicted below. Some governments, like Canada's, have spent much less on space (government or civilian) as a percentage of GDP compared to other industrialized nations regardless of ruling party.

Edited July 20, 2014 by bush_cheney2004

[Derek 2.0]

Relative "space program" expenditures by nation are depicted below. Some governments, like Canada's, have spent much less on space (government or civilian) as a percentage of GDP compared to other industrialized nations regardless of ruling party.

I’m surprised about Belgium and Luxembourg…..that’s interesting.

[bush_cheney2004]

I’m surprised about Belgium and Luxembourg…..that’s interesting.

Both have ESA/EU and national access policies for space (science and industrial). Gotta pay to play.

[bush_cheney2004]

NASA is scheduled to conduct Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT 1) of the Orion capsule late this year (December 2014). It will be launched on a Delta 4 Heavy and basically repeats the Apollo 4 mission for orbit and de-orbit testing of new hardware and systems.

[waldo]

Relative "space program" expenditures by nation are depicted below. Some governments, like Canada's, have spent much less on space (government or civilian) as a percentage of GDP compared to other industrialized nations regardless of ruling party.

I’m surprised about Belgium and Luxembourg…..that’s interesting.

as interesting as this being one of the most selective times that comparative GDP seems to be an acceptable measure for the guy presuming to compare Canada? As for the comment about "regardless of ruling party", it is rather odd that the member would state as much when he sourced the presented graphic from the following article... the article that clearly distinguishes past party contributions and highlights the significant cutbacks Harper Conservatives have made to the Canadian Space Agency:

Would a Liberal Government Reform the Canadian Space Program?

The Conservative government has been conservative with the Canadian space program. Base funding has been decreasing and only one national priority project is being funded to completion, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission. It seems unlikely the conservative government would change its position if it was re-elected.

While Liberal governments in the recent past haven't exactly been generous towards Canada's space program, they have invested more than the Conservatives.

So would a Liberal government invest more in Canada's space program than the Conservatives would? I believe they would and here's why.

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In 1999 the CSA A-Base budget was set at $300 million. However since 2011 the CSA's annual A-Base funding has been steadily declining. The 2014-2015 A-Base budget has now levelled off to $259,676,688. The government has stabilized the funding for the next three years. The A-Base budget for 2015-2016 is now set at $259,893,472 and for 2016-2017 it is currently set at $259,893,466.

While A-Base funding has apparently stabilized it is still a whopping 13% less than the original A-Base level set in 1999. Taking into account inflation the actual drop in funding is significant.

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[bush_cheney2004]

"We" want more space exploration...why won't the Americans spend more to give it to "us"....LOL!

[TimG]

What's trolling? Trolling is also fake. It's just a way for people like you and your ilk to silence their opposition.

Getting fed up? Feel like you are beating your head against a brick wall?

[Big Guy]

Since the refocusing of the space program, the USA has been forced to purchase room on Russian rockets to get to the space platform. With this recent cooling of East West relations, a Russian rep was quoted "If the United States wants to get to the space platform then they better buy a big trampoline". Doesn't sound like they are keen on joint participation.

I do understand that private companies have entered the field.

Since the USA was first on the moon and claimed the moon with their flag, do other countries now have to get their permission to land?

As to rocket transport, maybe some of those Hamas rocket makers who build rockets out of sewer pipes could be persuaded to tart up a bus or train to get our astronauts to the moon?

Maybe not.

[bush_cheney2004]

....Since the USA was first on the moon and claimed the moon with their flag, do other countries now have to get their permission to land?

No....because no one else has done it (with humans) or can do it...yet. Go for it...Canada ! I want to watch it on CBC.

Edited July 20, 2014 by bush_cheney2004

[waldo]

"We" want more space exploration...why won't the Americans spend more to give it to "us"....LOL!

prior related posts carry the sentiment that Canada is not doing enough... that it needs to do more... and not significantly cut back Canada Space Agency funding, ala Harper Conservatives. In that vein, why would you feel the need to put a focus on 'Americans spending more... to give it to us'? It's also quite unclear, given your added "LOL", why you would think/view this funny - please advise... thanks in advance.

[waldo]

No....because no one else has done it (with humans) or can do it...yet. Go for it...Canada ! I want to watch it on CBC.

it's a long time since the last 1972 moon landing - perhaps the reason other countries haven't put a targeted focus on a manned moon landing program aligns with why the U.S. doesn't feel a similar need/want since 1972 - yes?

[GostHacked]

I call trademark infringement!

GH's point about military expenditures is a significant contributor, particularly in regards the profiled NASA case. NASA desires and budgets have been so re-prioritized and/or cutback that it's now forced to partner with other countries simply to get up into space. And no, the privatized shift, to-date, has not compensated for the change.

I gave it a shot to send the thread into a nice direction 'what can we accomplish' .... China, India and other countries are getting in on the action now. Moon bases could have happened by now. Commercial flights for a short orbital experience could be affordable to many.

And you are right, the amount of good science we could gain from a solid space program could benefit mankind beyond our wildest current dreams.

The new Mars mission is a step in the right direction, but needs more support and backing. I get a little giddy thinking about stepping out onto the Martian surface. The universe is f'n awesome. And I mean awesome in the pure true sense of the word.