Lagrange points are "somewhere" for unmanned science missions, but they are definitely "nowhere" for crewed missions. There is literally nothing there to see or visit!Asteroid is a one-time mission, and opportunities for such missions come along infrequently. It will be interesting to the public for about an hour.Those responsible for SLS should stop trying to obfuscate its real purpose. There is only one reason to create such a powerful machine. There is only one place in space for which it is needed to visit - a place with red rocks, sand, and sky. - Ed Kyle
Do Exploration? Fine.Who pays for that? The public.Does the public give anything about Exploration? NoDoes the public want to pay for Exploration? Big No.Will Exploration happen, taking into account the points above? Very big No.
Do Exploration? Fine.Who pays for that? The public.Does the public give anything about Exploration? NoDoes the public want to pay for Exploration? Big No.Will Exploration happen, taking into account the points above? Very big No.Aquanaut99 hit the nail squarely on the head. It does not matter that there are many worlds out there to explore. It does not matter that the vast majority of the lunar surface is terra incognita. None of it matters as long as there is zero interest from the general public for Exploration. And that is precisely were we are today.
So long as the costs involved in spaceflight are absurdly high, as they are now, voluntary funding for exploration will be insufficient.
I know; I aint stupid, brother. ...
Quote from: QuantumG on 02/28/2012 11:04 amSo long as the costs involved in spaceflight are absurdly high, as they are now, voluntary funding for exploration will be insufficient.That's the reason SLS is so stretched on the development schedule. NASA is focused on keeping its budget steady (Shuttle-esq) and below the public radar, when a surge of dollars is common for development. It is a good plan - if it works.The U.S. spends nearly one-half billion dollars per year on Arctic and Antarctic research, much of which goes to PhD types. Does the public support that, I wonder? Or does the public even know such spending exists? - Ed Kyle
Quote from: woods170 on 02/28/2012 09:56 amDo Exploration? Fine.Who pays for that? The public.Does the public give anything about Exploration? NoDoes the public want to pay for Exploration? Big No.Will Exploration happen, taking into account the points above? Very big No.Aquanaut99 hit the nail squarely on the head. It does not matter that there are many worlds out there to explore. It does not matter that the vast majority of the lunar surface is terra incognita. None of it matters as long as there is zero interest from the general public for Exploration. And that is precisely were we are today.I think there are some minor but important distinctions that are necessary with your statement....Does Congress give anything about Exploration? Yes
Quote from: Ox on 02/28/2012 08:54 pmI think there are some minor but important distinctions that are necessary with your statement....Does Congress give anything about Exploration? YesSince when? Them funding exploration only occurs if it is a happy coincidence with their primary objective(s).
I think there are some minor but important distinctions that are necessary with your statement....Does Congress give anything about Exploration? Yes