I just got done teaching about the space station. I always hold up a 12 inch globe and ask the kids to guess, according to the scale of the globe, how far above the surface the space station orbits.
The answer: 5/16ths of an inch. That's about the diameter of a standard pencil.
STS-118, August 8-21, 2007. Last flight of SpaceHab, and last flight I worked in the mission control center. And that was Dean, who forced an early landing as those of us in Houston started crapping our pants when we saw that last picture.
Do we really need spacemen up there playing Hitchhiker's Guide, when robots could do the science and exploration at a proven fraction of the cost? The technology on display is as antique as a Dr Who set and not nearly so amusing.
Do the world's space agencies think anyone is impressed any longer by the acting-out of 1930's fantasies?
Or should we be spending money wisely on projects that will answer genuine scientific questions?
Nonsense? How do you expect man to gain a foothold to move up the rungs of bettering himself unless steps like these are taken. They will have to be done sooner or later and since the space race basically started in the 30's and 40's this is a natural evolution towards that goal. Your question is one of the reasons why women are generally looked down upon when it concerns matters of science and engineering. Your question displays an ignorance on your part that lacks a real understanding of mans need to be better than the day before. Maybe you have a better idea of how to make this happen.
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11 comments:
(the other kev)
Sweet. I have a fistful of new desktops now.
Thanks to texasjim for posting the pics and Ann for linking.
Gorgeous.
Goes to show, it's all about perspective.
Very nice snaps but I was hoping for some fisheye.
I just got done teaching about the space station. I always hold up a 12 inch globe and ask the kids to guess, according to the scale of the globe, how far above the surface the space station orbits.
The answer: 5/16ths of an inch. That's about the diameter of a standard pencil.
STS-118, August 8-21, 2007. Last flight of SpaceHab, and last flight I worked in the mission control center. And that was Dean, who forced an early landing as those of us in Houston started crapping our pants when we saw that last picture.
Nice pix. How we take so much for granted.
Canadarm
How much money has been wasted on this nonsense?
Do we really need spacemen up there playing Hitchhiker's Guide, when robots could do the science and exploration at a proven fraction of the cost? The technology on display is as antique as a Dr Who set and not nearly so amusing.
Do the world's space agencies think anyone is impressed any longer by the acting-out of 1930's fantasies?
Or should we be spending money wisely on projects that will answer genuine scientific questions?
"How much money has been wasted on this nonsense?"
No wonder your name is losergrrl.
losergrrl said...
How much money has been wasted on this nonsense?
Nonsense? How do you expect man to gain a foothold to move up the rungs of bettering himself unless steps like these are taken. They will have to be done sooner or later and since the space race basically started in the 30's and 40's this is a natural evolution towards that goal. Your question is one of the reasons why women are generally looked down upon when it concerns matters of science and engineering. Your question displays an ignorance on your part that lacks a real understanding of mans need to be better than the day before. Maybe you have a better idea of how to make this happen.
I'm all eyes.
In the second picture if I squint I think I can see my house. That's pretty neat.
You've got a good eye, Stephen. I can't even see Christchurch, though I can see where it ought to be.
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