Comments on: A Snapshot of NASA's Science Plans

By: Sakib

Sakib — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:01:55 +0000

It's no biggie that the Terrestial Planet Finder is cancelled. Even if we found habitable planets, it would be probably half a millenium until humanity would have the capability to travel there.
Also is anyone excited about seeing the very first pictures of Pluto?

By: alfonso padilla

alfonso padilla — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 17:16:16 +0000

I disagree about the moon thing. I think its a good idea to go back to the moon for a purely astronomical reason. It would be great to build a liquid mirror telescope on the dark side of the moon. I read an article several months ago advocating for a 100m liquid telescope.

I agree with Kevin that most of the moon missions are pointless and its taking away funds for better science missions like the SIM and the Terrestial Planet Finder that was cancelled. I also think its far flung and ahead of ourselves to send people to Mars just yet.

Maybe it would be a better idea to learn to build a moon base and be out in zero G for long periods of time, closer to home, on the moon.

By: Kevin M.

Kevin M. — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 05:25:44 +0000

What interest we have in the moon is very limited, unless we are worried that others will build military bases there, not too likely for a few centuries yet. The only other use could be an astronomy station, but that could be done better from orbit. Likewise, we do not need humans to go to Mars before it is safe and economical to do so. And it is the overly-ambitious moon missions which are far more likely to go massively over budget, and produce far less meaningful results, mark my words on that.

Hopefully a smart future president will see the purely political nature of the moon missions and slash them to ribbons, in favor of far more economical and profitable science missions. VSE should never have been proposed or taken seriously. Like everything else this administration has done, it is based on delusion and propaganda, and our dysfunctional congress has rubber stamped it.

By: Kevin M.

Kevin M. — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 05:09:36 +0000

Finding other habitable planets is the cutting edge of our true interest in space, and always will be, especially if it can be done with one or a few well-designed local instruments. Closer science is perhaps more practical, but will never approach the interest level of what or who else is "out there", especially if our local bodies are all lifeless.

Also, finding exoplanets has now become easy and affordable science, not punishingly expensive. Our cutting edge should always be where we can get the most bang for our buck. Finding exoplanets will revolutionize our vision of ourselves and the universe around us. Would you rather be studying the lifeless minerals on frozen planets for the forseeable future or exploring a multitude of new habitable biospheres? Exoplanets are the new low-hanging fruit, and ripe for the picking.

By: Space Politics » Griffin advises astronomers to avoid the kids’ table

Space Politics » Griffin advises astronomers to avoid the kids’ table — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:08:33 +0000

[...] believe the attitude we're being addressed with." Universe Today did note that Griffin's speech was followed by town hall meeting with better news for scientists, as associate administrator Alan Stern explained how the agency had adjusted its mission planning [...]

By: Jason Leary

Jason Leary — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 04:32:50 +0000

The detection of atmospheric conditions ripe for life on other planets is edifying to the civilization and thus should be continued .

By: Matt Blackman

Matt Blackman — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 02:43:27 +0000

As important as the search for exoplanets may be, I can't say that I'm terribly surprised to see such projects on the chopping block. It does make more sense to focus limited resources on the study of "local" space, doesn't it?