SpaceShipOne

[Doramius]

I agree with Cap on that one. I also think we can create a shuttle and transport launcher capable enough to break free of earth's orbit with an enormous payload, make it to the moon, set up a base, and return to earth safely and cost effective. I also think we can power the moon base with nuclear energy safely. I will say it would be wise to add solar panels to the moon base for additional power, but it cannot totally be powered by solar alone. I think nuclear is much safer than people think it is, and can be made safer through more extensive research and use here on earth. Saying Anti-matter technology is more than 50 years away is like someone in the 1950's saying, man will never reach the moon and powerful computers will be the size of large buildings. World web technologies, and at the speeds we use today, could hardly be fathomed 20 years ago.

Many of the scenarios you're giving to me are also going to knock out your own views of building a space station. I feel it will be far more easier to build a moon base that will allow landing and launching of shuttle type ships.

[vitualis]

I agree with Cap on that one. I also think we can create a shuttle and transport launcher capable enough to break free of earth's orbit with an enormous payload, make it to the moon, set up a base, and return to earth safely and cost effective.

Well, hope is the first step. Engineering is the second... All the above is probably possible but I would contend definitely not with current technology or the current space infrastructure and lauch vehicles we have.

I also think we can power the moon base with nuclear energy safely.

Possibly but not without significant difficulty. I don't think a conventional nuclear reactor would be cost effective in the long term if you value safety. Something like an anti-matter assisted fission reactor would be idea in both safety and scalability (after all, the first moon base don't have to be that big).

Solar power, however, is a much more likely solution than people realise. The moon has essentially no atmosphere so the use so solar panels are very reliable. There would be very little required in terms of upkeep and maintenance. In addition, the best CURRENT solar panels are really very efficient, over 20% conversion. If we are entertaining near-future advances nuclear technology and willing to spend squillions on a power system for a moon base, we should do the same with solar. Read about new solar breakthroughs like black silicon (New Scientist a few months / year ago)... silicon photovoltaic cells with a energy efficiency of over 50% are possible.

I will say it would be wise to add solar panels to the moon base for additional power, but it cannot totally be powered by solar alone.

Why not? The ISS is in essence powered by solar panels alone.

I think nuclear is much safer than people think it is, and can be made safer through more extensive research and use here on earth.

Nuclear is pretty safe but only because of the paranoia that goes into its design... and it should stay that way.

Saying Anti-matter technology is more than 50 years away is like someone in the 1950's saying, man will never reach the moon and powerful computers will be the size of large buildings. World web technologies, and at the speeds we use today, could hardly be fathomed 20 years ago.

Anti-matter power is arguably similar to nuclear fusion, AI and personal robotics. We've been saying that AI and nuclear fusion will be around in the next 20 years since probably the 1970s. Real fundamental changes are exactly as you say... "could hardly be fathomed 20 years ago". Things that we think we "can fathom" are often more distant from our grasp than we think.

Many of the scenarios you're giving to me are also going to knock out your own views of building a space station.

Look, you are missing the fundamental issue here. A large space station can be built with current technology. The fact is, we already have one. It's called the International Space Station... and it is crap, but it is proof of technology.

Why is it that we can build the ISS? Because it is in low Earth orbit. We can send big loads to low Earth orbit on a regular basis EASILY. With the development of space planes, it will be even easier to do.

I think that you still don't understand just how far the Moon is away. Perhaps it is better not to think of "far" but how "high".

To build a space station, you only need enough energy to go "up" 200 km. To build on the moon, you need enough energy to go "up" about 380,000 km -- basically, orders of magnitude more fuel or orders of magnitude less cargo.

Building a Moon base is probably easier than building a space station at L4/5 or an interplanetary space station, but it would silly to suggest that it is easier than a low orbit space station. As I stated before, I don't believe that a moon base will be constructed before a well functioning large space station is built first -- and I don't think the ISS qualifies.

Regards.

[Doramius]

I don't think it's getting political, but it's becomming a bit of debate. Are we still able to talk about this here or will we have to go to Politick to finish?

[yoda313]

Hello,

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6682611/

Private spacetourism may finally be ok'd. The congress ok'd a bill to allow it with certain safety restrictions.

COOL 8)
Kevin

[Browncoat]

Can't believe here we are nearing 2010 and spaceship2 hasn't flown yet.. this is taking far too long for my liking.

[Doramius]

It'll happen. Safety requirements are big concerns, and testing phases can last a few years. Especially if any single item fails, and usually there are multiple.

[DereX888]

Wow, blast from the past!
One of the oldest thread resurrections, isn't it?

Yeah I hope so too it will fly before 2015.

[Browncoat]

DereX888 Posted: Oct 08, 2009 21:17

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Wow, blast from the past!
One of the oldest thread resurrections, isn't it?

The good ones never die 8)

[Browncoat]

Can't believe here we are nearing 2014 and spaceship2 hasn't got into space yet. Me thinks it might be close though.