Virgin Galactic crash...

[Raffles]

First of all, let me make it clear that I truly wish all involved are safe and well.

BUT... I think the money spent on this 'adventure' would be better off spent on solving the problems on this Earth before we transmit our problems elsewhere.

Just my feelings.

[xs2man]

Looks like at least one dead. Tragic.

I disagree though. The money spent on the space program has lead to significant benefit for all humanity. One of the most simple ones being Velcro, but there are many many other benefits to be had from such "adventure & exploration" from strides forward in cancer research, to self targeting drugs, and the inevitable trickle down of almost all technology. For example, our ecig batteries probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the space missions looking for ways of storing energy for use later on.

[Bluefish]

This world aint big enough for 20 billion of us mate, and many things have been invented due to the space industry.

[Raffles]

xs2man... I take your point, and I'm all for research... but this was 'commercial'... i.e. to make a profit for the investors, not for the greater good of humanity.

[Raffles]

Oct 31, 2014 19:13:50 GMT Bluefish said:

This world aint big enough for 20 billion of us mate, and many things have been invented due to the space industry.

There's enough bl**dy wars going on, plus an ignored epidemic, to control the population. Are we just going to export it to the nearest planet. ???

I totally agree that research should be done, but not millionaires 'jolly holidays'.

[xs2man]

Oct 31, 2014 19:17:19 GMT Raffles said:

xs2man... I take your point, and I'm all for research... but this was 'commercial'... i.e. to make a profit for the investors, not for the greater good of humanity.

Sure there will be profit made there, but there will also be advances in technology, which is usually a good thing.  

The Virgin Galactic program is heading to eventually be used to help re-supply the ISS (International Space Station), and the research that happens there is for the good of humanity.  And if that is paid for by millionaires "Jollies" then all the better.  At least then it isn't taxpayers money being spent.

To be brutally honest, I see this as a win win (not the accident of course, although there will no doubt be improved safety off the back of it), but we are in an age now where technological advancement can be paid for purely by the wealthy.

Sure there are wars going on, there always will be, nothing you can do about it.  But at least this money is being spent on technology to the betterment of mankind, rather than guns and drugs.

[VapingBad]

You still get a lot of benefit form solving all the problems for manufacturing & using this tech for commercial use. I have read a few really great scientists and also si-fi authors that are extremely happy that a life long dream may be possible even if it is mega expensive, imagin this as a science prize in education. Play-bots doing it because they have money to burn, they would just waste it on something else.

[Raffles]

Sorry guys... wasn't the recent rocket failure to the ISS a 'commercial' project.

I just want 'progress' to be made for the sake of all, and not just those wanting to make a 'quick buck'.

Feel I'm digging a hole for myself here, as I agree that all research is good, but also feel that we are ignoring the problems we've already got and fail to resolve.

[Bluefish]

But as you have said it's privately funded and it's up to them what they spend their money on, or are you saying Government should be telling us/them how to spend their millions?

[Raffles]

Oct 31, 2014 22:28:54 GMT Bluefish said:

But as you have said it's privately funded and it's up to them what they spend their money on, or are you saying Government should be telling us/them how to spend their millions?

Nope... just think there's a better use for it.

[VapingBad]

It gives some top level engineers challenging work that would only normally be available for military or space agencies that will help this tech move to the next generation where it will be cheaper, these advances are incremental so it not just money wasted by the play-boys.