Read more.Quote:
Following the fatal crash of SpaceShipTwo, what are your thoughts on space tourism?
Printable View
Read more.Quote:
Following the fatal crash of SpaceShipTwo, what are your thoughts on space tourism?
Look at the early aircraft......zeplins, the early planes etc.....compare them to what we have today.
You got to task risks to advance.
thousands have died in car accidents - we still use them.
thousands have died on boats - we still use them
thousands have died in aeroplanes - we still use them
a handful of people have died in spacecraft - "oh no, theyre dangerous, ban them, they're dangerous, don't use them" + mass panic and hysteria.
so yeah... what shiathis said. :)
There's a finite amount of stored energy in the world. Setting fire to huge amounts of it just for short-lived jollies seems irresponsible, so it's worth the risk but not worth the waste.
No, not any more. I've asked for a refund on my ticket.
of course it is worth the risk, not least because it is not our place to intervene in what [we] might consider too risky a venture.
the risk to us is a one a billion chance of the wreckage of space-ship two landing on my [individual] house, not accidentally opening a wormhole that will engulf mankind!
If I could afford it, I'd be all over it.
is living worth the risk ?
It is personal question, some of us will go for it even if the wont come back (MARS ONE) some one else dont.
It is all personal.
Will i go for it if i could afford? I think yes.
For me, no, but I'm not interested. But i ride a motorbike which is riskier than sitting in a 4 wheeled mobile box which is riskier than sitting 3m underground in a bunker permanently. If people want to pay for it, what gives anyone else the right to stop them?
I look at it this way - in the last year or so, over 700 people have perished flying the same airline, on 2 flights, all while on vacation. Multiple thousands have perished on US roads alone this year, and this year isn't over. Statistically, a lot of people will, sadly, die between now and January 1st, on the roads. Those numbers are orders of magnitude greater than the sum of all space related deaths since the late 50's combined.
So, truth be told, I have a lot more faith in Mr. Branson's space craft than I do the average driver anywhere. Perhaps not as much faith in his hair stylist, but that's a different topic...
Also, somewhat sadly, I'll likely be dead long before there's actual space tourism, and also before I have $200k to spend on the joy ride. But if I did - what a rush.
its time we move to new levels, NO FEAR!
Yes, for two reasons:
1. To help us improve our narrow perspective through the overview effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgA6y4hpEL0
2. The inspiration provided by new business venturing into space is invaluable for our current generation. The more people that aspire to be a part of that venture the more likely we are to progress with it and benefit from new technology developed for it in our daily lives.
So no, one crash does not make the risk too high and neither would more crashes.
I think its a bit harsh to call it space tourism at this point. Everyone involved at this stage of the process is a pioneer. Yes there is a commercial aspect to the venture, but as the Russians are using decades old craft and the US have all but abandoned any interest in NASA (republicans back in, expect NASA funding cuts again and Defence rises, and another war), then it is up to civillians and corporations to pony up and seek new ways forward.
I doubt very much that Branson's or anyone elses final goal in this is to make a fast buck off of rich folks with nothing else to spend their money on. The world has been explored and the next great step forward is off the planet, these are just the first tentative steps on a very long journey.
As to the rest of the question. There were no innocent (poor choice of words here, substitute would be appreciated) casualties. Both pilots were very aware of the risks in what they were attempting and as far as i am aware the craft was destroyed well away from populated areas. So to the people involved it was very worth the risk, and they are the only ones whose opinion matters. Noone is being forced into it.
Saying that, it was tragic.
on a side note, perhaps we should be looking elsewhere for a solution as North Korea have reportedly landed a man on the sun
space tourism ..no ..but then again they really don't go into space they skirt it
but for the conquest of space yes .. we need to go further ..
Getting into space has always been somewhat hazardous! Tell that to the little Chinese chap "Wan Hu, Ming dynasty (16th century)", who attached a load of rockets to his chair! No one ever saw him again! :p
Space travel will always be risky venture whether you are a tourist or an proper astronaut. Too many things(human error,radiation)/systems to go wrong!
Beam me up scotty! Oops! Check Sum Error! Didn't need that part of my body anyway!:)
Yes, I would take the risk and go into space, if the money was there!:)
I might require a large supply of adult nappies though!:crazy:
I've just had a thought!:secret: The Virgin sub orbital flight would make a very good Hexus competition prize! :clapping: if the budget could stretch to it!!!!!!!!!! :)
Got to do it to find an alternative to Earth. We are well on the way to destroying the planet we now live on and one day it will be beyond saving
My thoughts are "meh".
Stuff crashes all the time, cars, planes, boats, the fact that it is a spaceship makes it even less surprising.
Yes, as it moves us along the path to the stars.
Human-Planet-Eating-Virus seeks new planet for careless misuse! Don't worry, we will more careful next time, honest!Quote:
Originally Posted by tigertop1
Some people have signed up to die fairly shortly after reaching Mars (or on the way, if they're very unlucky). The only people to really ask "Is it worth it?" of are the ones taking the risk.
But that's about trips whereas a question about whether space *tourism* is worth the risk is about an industry. The answer is then the commercially based "Yes, if there are enough people willing to accept the trip risks and pay for the privilege".
I think Space Tourism would be good solely for the fact it injects money and visibility into the area for R&D into faster, safer and further reaching spaceflight projects.
Couldn't agree more - and the way I see it, those rich-but-dumb folks are ploughing money into something that might eventually help on other commercial applications. For example, I remember someone suggesting that the Virgin "orbiter" could perhaps be used as a first stage to launching satellites into orbit at a lower cost than is the case at the moment.Quote:
Originally Posted by shaithis
Actually, it's a nice kick-back against the "risk averse" culture we're in today. I remember reading a quote from some grande dame in the US that went something like:
"my great grandmother upped stakes and took her entire family by covered wagon to settle the west. HER great grandmother loaded her family and possessions onto a sailing ship in Plymouth and did the two month journey to another continent. I, on the other hand, have second thoughts about crossing the road".
Was it just me or was the sixties just a heck of a lot more exciting (although I wasn't around for most of it) space-wise?
Unfortunately, these are the risks that exist for the few pioneers in this field. It is worth it though - hopefully it will drive progress in finding new ways to access space, more efficient rocketry, etc.
Ultimately it will be worth it when space and resources on earth start to become scarce. Might be a way off, but you've got to start somewhere!