Value of space science questioned

Associated Press ^ | Tuesday, May 27, 2003

[presidio9]

Some experts say microgravity research conducted by astronauts in space doesn't appear to produce much value for scientists.

Academics and scientists on both sides of the debate over scientific value of human spaceflight have disagreed for decades.

Differing opinions have erupted in the aftermath of space shuttle Columbia's disintegration over Texas on February 1, leaving seven astronauts dead.

[LiteKeeper]

Science SPOTREP

[RightWhale]

scientific value of human spaceflight

The ISS will be doing little of scientific interest until it is completed and fully staffed. The real experiments have not started flying. There seems to be a renewed campaign underway to cut manned spaceflight in favor of robots. At this time manned spaceflight is at a subsistence level and it won't pay off until it gets above that level.

[NonZeroSum]

We'll never have viable manned space activities as long as we continue to delude ourselves that the purpose is science.

[headsonpikes]

What's 'space'?

Nothing. A vacuum. Nada.

Why waste good money on nothing?

;^)

[John H K]

It seems the main value of manned space research is researching what happens to men in space, which is a self-perpetuating recursive loop.

Without question we'd get vastly more science out of spending the obscene amounts of money on the ISS on unmanned satellites and probes.

[rellimpank]

--let's see the private sector step up to the plate and do the investment and reap the benefits--

[RightWhale]

we'd get vastly more science out of spending the obscene amounts of money on the ISS on unmanned satellites and probes

Of course. That has been the Planetary Society's mantra for years. But now they are beginning a new song. The robot probes are to prepare the way for manned outposts on the moon and Mars.

It stands to reason. Why send robots out there if we don't intend to go ourselves?

[stationkeeper]

Could not agree with you more............many of the "experiments" conducted on the shuttle were dreamed up by school kids.

[demlosers]

Yes, Science is no means to an end. Space science should lead us to exploit the extra-terrestrial for economic gain.

[Frank_Discussion]

The science of Hubble, Voyager, Pioneer, Pathfinder, et al is undeniably high in content and richness. I don't disagree with you there, not one bit. But that same data, and let's focus on Pathfinder here, points to the need to get humans to the locations of the data. People will need to study Mars in realtime, and there is only one way to do that, put the people on-site!

That's the reason behind all the human-factors and medical research, trying to anticipate the reactions of the human body and psyche to a long journey to Mars.

Now, that said, I think we're wasting a little time studying this stuff to the nth degree. We can make the trip now, as we know enough about our physiology. It's just an excuse to not cultivate the cajones to go to Mars, or back to the Moon.

I think ISS needs to be completed, then augmented with hardware testing facilities for the new engines that Sean O'Keefe is endorsing.

[RightWhale]

many of the "experiments" conducted on the shuttle were dreamed up by school kids

That's not bad in itself. There are always some proto-professional scientists coming up from the ranks. But if the school kid science is at the Algore level, then we have already lost.

[ffusco]

There is no "nothing" in reality.Even empty space is "something".

[Frank_Discussion]

Also, FWIW, I think private enterprise will have to batter down the barriers in regards to real utilization and exploration of space.

(I'm a Moon-focused gent, myself, and I want to be a tourist there when I retire someday. But, hey, if Mars falls to the capitalists first, that's awesome too!)

[from occupied ga]

many of the "experiments" conducted on the shuttle were dreamed up by school kids

That's not bad in itself.

It is if I have to pay for it.

[RightWhale]

if Mars falls to the capitalists first

It will belong to the agency that develops it, probably state-run: either the Euros, the Japanese, the Chinese, or [bringing up the rear] NASA. Private enterprise cannot compete and is shut out anyway.

[Frank_Discussion]

Why? (Not a challenge - A sincere question from one who doesn't understand what you mean.)

[Jeff Gordon]

Maybe when China has a space station orbiting overhead we will once again wake up to the value of space.

[RightWhale]

The young scientists are creating our future. If somebody doesn't like that, there is always the soma. 'Was and will make me ill, a gramme a day gives me today.'

[RightWhale]

Why?

A little more specific, please. There is much to discuss, but where to start?