Re: Science/Techno Babble Random, Random
Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2023 2:18 pm
The USA needs some sort of home-based space launch technology. It is not only trying to go to the moon, it is also the huge number of satellites floating above. Almost all of the world's communications are based on this technology. Add to that maintenance of the GPS constellation (the USA's), and you have some real day-to-day things to be done up there.
I also think that, with the cluttering in low and mid Earth orbits, we will need eventually to start cleaning up some of these altitudes. GRAVITY (the movie) got something right: right now, if any satellite shatters, we can see a chain reaction of fragments that could take out other satellites. Again, we may eventually need some sort of maneuverable spaceship that can navigate at low/mid Earth orbit.
Is Elon the guy to do that? Surely debatable; I would side with you that he is not. Is this needed (even if it will be for space tourism)? I think it is.
I also think that, with the cluttering in low and mid Earth orbits, we will need eventually to start cleaning up some of these altitudes. GRAVITY (the movie) got something right: right now, if any satellite shatters, we can see a chain reaction of fragments that could take out other satellites. Again, we may eventually need some sort of maneuverable spaceship that can navigate at low/mid Earth orbit.
Is Elon the guy to do that? Surely debatable; I would side with you that he is not. Is this needed (even if it will be for space tourism)? I think it is.