If you were in charge of space exploration...

Szkeptik · May 27, 2008

... what would your plans be for the coming decades?If you were the head of NASA or some fictional global space agency, with no shortage of money, what would your plans be for the future of space exploration and science?

bearack · May 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>... what would your plans be for the coming decades?If you were the head of NASA or some fictional global space agency, with no shortage of money, what would your plans be for the future of space exploration and science? Posted by Szkeptik</DIV> My personal belief is that space exploration will be the US driving force for the future of our economy.  We need to invest as much as possible to be the first in every aspect of space exploration.  We have given much of our economic base to other countries, i.e. manufacturing, steel and telecom.  We need a monumental discovery and once this occurs, the US economy and our space program could be slung up to a knew level.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <img id="06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/14/06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" /> </div>

baulten · May 27, 2008

Well, here's what I would do:First off, a manned mission to Mars would be top priority.  I feel that the Moon is somewhat of a waste of time until we've had fusion perfect and can effectively harvest and use He3 from Lunar regolith.  However, Mars is an ideal place for future human settlement.Next, I'd focus on robotic missions to the outer solar system.  Europa, Titan, and Enceladus are amazing moons that we need to explore.  They, as well as Mars and the upper Venusian atmosphere, may harbor some form of life, and that's what we really need to look for in my opinion.The search for habitable planets outside our solar system would also be a huge priority.  TPF needs to have funding again and be put back on the development table.And, in the long run, my focus would be on the eventual deployment of nuclear propulsion, and a fast interstellar mission.  I do think that this can wait until we've established ourselves on Mars and better explored our solar system, though, and the discovery of a habitable exosolar planet would mark the best starting point for this mission.

DrRocket · May 27, 2008

I believe that I would focus on the relationship between capabilities in orbit and needs on Earth in order to make space exploration relevant to those in the population who are not "space junkies".  In particular I would look for economically productive enterprises that can only be conducted efficiently in space.  Once a sufficient commercial motive exists space exploratioin will happen naturally and not be constrained by the vagaries of government funding.  Space exploration would pay for itself directly.I would focus some government funding on scientific missions with a mission of increasing our understanding of fundamental science, and less on manned missions for which the mission is merely to have a man in the loop.  Manned missions would be undertaken only when the scientific objective of the mission is significantly enhanced by a human presence.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Vinterstellar · May 30, 2008

I'd do something like...... Earth Orbit Space Station A super space station set up in Earth's orbit, not upon the moon, to be the base for Earth and it's space colonization endeavors, and monitoring of Earth by a scientific colony. Here we grow a hybridized space station to also build space ships, in space, grand since they require no planetary entry and exit launch capability, and can be so, to transit colonial apparatus for future colonies on other orbs. Earth Moon A secondary space base for Earth, pretty much identical to the Space Station, above. Upon the moon, there will be great amounts of scientific study of space materials, as so much lay upon the surface, there. Plus, much of the surface can be used to gather solar energy. It would be logical to house the manned space station on the border just beyond where light meets dark, on the dark side, to lower radiation. The terrain of the moon actually is believed to provide a great protector against radiation, so it would also be logical to have much of the human colonies be subterranean, and luckily it seems very dusty there, so it would be no great expenditure to dig, and hopefully deep. From here we also further create more space ship building stations, and more places to build pre-emptive colonial segments to assemble upon other orbs, with ease. Mars Mars does not seem abundant in anything major, but rather be a stepping stone to future colonies that will be more signifigant to mine and live upon. There is a decent amount of ice, but nothing major. There may be oil. Other than that, obvious scientific study would be great, and possible alien world growth of Earthborn life would be good to experiment with. Also some obvious solar energy harvesting, as goes pretty much anywhere. Deimos and Phobos could be used as pre-emptive landing sites for future colonies, and better solar energy gathering locations, although they are small. Cerus + The Main Asteroid Belt Here should be our capital mining centre for one reason - open planet ore. It is believed that the asteroid belt be formed of a once planetary collision between two worlds. This means it is remnant broken apart planetary ore, deep down metals that should be signifigant. Also there may be gems within this realm, possibly, and may be great metals and gems for scientific furthering. This is a unique area, but the capital would likely be Ceres, a dwarf planet within, as well as other larger asteroids circling the belt. Ever on the search for fuel energy, but this seems not to be the place. Venus Incredibly hostile environment. Space station colony to the rear of the planet, using the planet itself to shield human colony from the solar radiation, quite much stronger there than in the Earth planetary system. Obvious large solar energy gains to be made on the front side and the exposed sides of the planet, bigtime. If landing can be performed by man or robot-driven apparatus, it could be possible to tap the crazy and violent climate itself for energy, like the mega-lightning, the superstorms, etc.. Here we may find oil, or radioactive or highly reactive soil as well, with the lively habitat. Terraform seems far further down the line. Mercury Ditto with Mercury as with Venus. Probably no oil, etc, subterranean fuels of liquid form. Possible harvesting of radioactive soil. Human presence here very limited or impossible, robotic solar energy harvesting ships and modules seems ideal. The back side may provide enough cover, though. Here we can definitely land [robotically] solar energy gathering devices on the bright side to gather energy with then retrieve the storage batteries, etc.. Here, also, is the kingpin place to study the sun up close. Is it possible many dead planets and moons have come close to the sun, drawn in, been scorched to hell, then pushed back out by the radiation of the sun? Just a note... This covers the Asteroid belt and inward. Now to the gas giants and outer Sol Arium... Jupiter Here we can do it all. Human colonies on icy/watery moons, harvesting of solar energy and oil. Possible life all over the place. Huge planet moons left and right, Europa seems to be the ideal place to start. Is it possible to tap the upper Jupiter atmosphere for energy? Lightning? Saturn Ditto here. Titan is the world of gas and oil, an energy haven. Many ice worlds to study here. Uranus Ditto here. Titania seems the target orb in this planetary system. Definite human colonies sustainable with all the ice out here, and if not, definite harvesting. Neptune Ditto here. Another solar system kingpin is found here in Triton, bearing nitrogen lakes and seas, geysers galore, a very active ice world. This nitrogen is rare and key for harvesting, possibly as fuel, but as it stands now, more crucial for synthesizing environments for biodomes in other places where nitrogen is harder to come by. This is the only place other than Earth, that is believed to house major amounts of Nitrogen. Neptune appears to be the main last spot on the expansion out of the solar system. Pluto Here we have an extremely distant planet with ice, and that's about all we can confirm. Ditto for Charon. Pluto is landable. Nothing to signifigant in size here though. Eris Pretty much identical to the above. This is our last place of interest, pretty much, and will make an ideal orb station to manage the furtherest regions of the solar system to network colonization beyond! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Multiversal Space Colonization + Advancement Organization: http://MSCAO.999.Org|m| </div>

qso1 · May 30, 2008

Develop low cost access to space first and foremost, the rest will follow and if funding were truly unlimited, there would be no debate about sending humans.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> My borrowed quote for the time being:There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened. </div>

jgrabham · May 30, 2008

1) Research into faster spacecraft, and the possibility of flyinging fater than c2)Colonisation of Titan.3)Colonisation of the Moon and Mars. 4)Investigation into the orogin of the "wow signal" and investment into SETI <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed. </div>

JonClarke · May 31, 2008

Earth orbit - complete ISS and use it for research into solving issues of long duration spaceflight and adaptation to partial gravity. Issue contracts for commerical services to Earth orbit.Moon - return people to the Moon, working from 10 day visits to 6 month stays with long range traverse (100's of km) capability.   Develop series of teleoperated rovers to explore other sites of interest. Locate site for multi-purpose lunar station and establish it.  Issue contracts for commerical servicing of lunar facilities.Mars - send a mission every window and develop an ongoing series of human missions as a follow on to lunar missions once 6 month stays have become routine.NEAs - use Lunar tecnology to visit NEAS.Venus - Send mission every opportunity, focusing on baloons, drop sondes, and UAVs.  Develop basic electronics that can operate at ambient temperatures on Venus.  Develop crewe orbital mission to eteloperate surface probes.Independently develop electric propulsion and space reactors concentrating on scaleable systems from small probes to crewed missions. Reinstate Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter mission, or similar.Develop Europa lander (if warrented).Titan orbiter and UAV missions.Enceladus mission.Saturn entry probe.Mercury rover.Uranus orbiter and entry probe.Naptune orbiter and entry probe.Triton lander.Pus of course ongoing space astronomy, solar physics, geophysics, etc.I think I will be dead after this! But I would die happy <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" title="Cool" />Jon  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

Swampcat · May 31, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Earth orbit - complete ISS and use it for research into solving issues of long duration spaceflight and adaptation to partial gravity. Issue contracts for commerical services to Earth orbit.Moon - return people to the Moon, working from 10 day visits to 6 month stays with long range traverse (100's of km) capability.   Develop series of teleoperated rovers to explore other sites of interest. Locate site for multi-purpose lunar station and establish it.  Issue contracts for commerical servicing of lunar facilities.Mars - send a mission every window and develop an ongoing series of human missions as a follow on to lunar missions once 6 month stays have become routine.NEAs - use Lunar tecnology to visit NEAS.Venus - Send mission every opportunity, focusing on baloons, drop sondes, and UAVs.  Develop basic electronics that can operate at ambient temperatures on Venus.  Develop crewe orbital mission to eteloperate surface probes.Independently develop electric propulsion and space reactors concentrating on scaleable systems from small probes to crewed missions. Reinstate Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter mission, or similar.Develop Europa lander (if warrented).Titan orbiter and UAV missions.Enceladus mission.Saturn entry probe.Mercury rover.Uranus orbiter and entry probe.Naptune orbiter and entry probe.Triton lander.Pus of course ongoing space astronomy, solar physics, geophysics, etc.I think I will be dead after this! But I would die happy Jon  Posted by jonclarke</DIV>Jon, nice list. Works for me. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

3488 · May 31, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Jon, nice list. Works for me. Posted by Swampcat</DIV>I agree completely. Jon great list, my thoughts exactly.Regarding JIMO, I would add an Io probe (orbiter & lander).Blitz Mars with Pathfinder, MER & Phoenix type craft to as many different locations as affordable. If we are to understand Mars, we really need to get many landers on the surface.Landing sites would range from both polar regions including both poles themselves with RTG powered craft to last the whole martian year, several within Valles Marineris, summit caldera of Olympus Mons, Hellas particularly Coronae Scopulus, the lowest known point on Mars, Argyre, Arum Chaos, Northern Meridiani, Pavonis Mons lava tubes, etcBoth Phobos & Deimos to get landers.Regarding Mercury, I agree a rover would bre great. I would love to see it. I would not stop at one, I would send at least four.1). Centre of Caloris Basin.2). One each to the polar regions.3). Beagle Rupes.Landers to 1 Ceres, 2 Pallas & 4 Vesta.Regarding Uranus, as your suggestion, I would add Ariel, Titania & Oberon landers. I think those three have a few hidden surprises.Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

h2ouniverse · May 31, 2008

hi all, I would add too to your lists a simple low-cost generic by-flyer family for first information about the tens of dwarves beyond Neptune. Target: 100 Mln$ per launched spacecraft => launch 20 to 40 of them for 2 to 4 bn dollars, i.e. the equivalent of a flagship mission spread budget-wise over one decade (200-400 Mln$ yearly).Also, I would, with the current state of info on TNOs, favor 2003EL61 for an orbiter mission (and use this mission as incitation to develop more cost-efficient RTGs and more Isp-efficient electric propulsion, to get a reasonable cruise duration <15years). The reasons for singling it out are the collisional past, the strong likelihood of differentiation, the ultra-high spin, the two-mooned system and the fresh H2O-ice rich surface. So more prospects for past or extant layer of liquid water. The stake there to me is the possibility of liquid water layers in the very numerous bodies of the outreaches of stellar systems. And so another key paramater in Drake's equation. regards

ecitonburchelli · Jun 2, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> Europa, Titan, and Enceladus are amazing moons that we need to explore.  Posted by baulten</DIV> Those three would be my top priority.  We do need to get off the planet as soon as possible, though- who knows what might happen here- so having a human colony at Mars would also be a goal.

aphh · Jun 2, 2008

While completing the ISS, start gearing up for a moonbase on lunar orbit. A smaller station on lunar orbit together with reliable means to travel to the surface and back. This way the earth - moon transit would not need to carry a new lander each time, only propellant for the landers parked on lunar orbit.There might be a real lightweight lander too, only a rocket seat for a astronaut or two in spacesuits. Anything that lands on the moon permanently has to become a part of a larger infrastructure on the moon.

ZenGalacticore · Jun 4, 2008

I would pour most of our efforts into propulsion research. We're doing a slow but steady job of learning how to live and work in space on 6 month shifts and we will continue to do so on the Moon in the coming decades. But beyond near Earth vicinity, we need better propulsion systems, completely outside and above chemical rockets.Meanwhile, the Moon is the perfect place to test and develop the equally important life-support systems.Mars, BTW, is hardly an 'ideal' place for humans to settle. If one thinks it is, I suggest you go live in Antarctica for a year or two. It's a harsh environment, but at least there is air and water to be had from readily available ice. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ZenGalacticore </div>

TerriG · Jun 5, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>... what would your plans be for the coming decades?If you were the head of NASA or some fictional global space agency, with no shortage of money, what would your plans be for the future of space exploration and science? Posted by Szkeptik</DIV> First I'd obviously fund NASA better. I'd pay scientists to research space technology and garauntee them a future in America so they don't feel the need to go elsewhere to work. I'd fund a media campaign to promote a positive image of the space program to combat those who think it's a waste of time. Then within the program itself the first thing to do would be to send a manned mission to the moon and then to Mars. The moon mission would be just to get people going again mentally, and Mars would happen simultaneously but obviously land 6-8 months later than the moon mission. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> _______________________________ <img src="http://xs230.xs.to/xs230/08354/sentry_copy160.jpg" alt="" /> phoenix reign | the twenty-somethings </div>

qso1 · Jun 5, 2008

... what would your plans be for the coming decades?If you were the head of NASA or some fictional global space agency, with no shortage of money, what would your plans be for the future of space exploration and science? Posted by SzkeptikI'm gonna weigh in again from a slightly different perspective, especially since I find myself always contesting the human spaceflight critic argument, presenting data to support my argument, only to loose anyway.Lets ask the question, what would you do if in charge of NASA in the real world of no such thing as "No shortage of money".1.Continue efforts to encourage the private sector to take over human spaceflight to low orbit. And to encourage the private sector to go beyond LEO as they mature their nascent human spaceflight efforts.2.As part of number 1, propose a reasonable human mars mission program centered around the search for life on mars. Emphasis on this approach as primary, or no human mars mission at all as robotics alone can probably do much of the other science as long as America cannot afford human spaceflight because were too busy affording much larger wastes of money.I like to place it in these terms. NASAs 1966 budget was a record $5.9 billion dollars ($38.4 b 2007 dollars).NASAs current budget is about $17 billion 2007 dollars, or under half the 1966 figure in 2007 dollars.I think we could do a broader human spaceflight program with emphasis on lunar and mars bases for a budget of around $25 billion 2007 dollars over the next 20 years with incremental increases to account for inflation etc. But budgets still below the 1966 budget in 2027 dollars by 2027. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> My borrowed quote for the time being:There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened. </div>

MarcoSpace · Jun 6, 2008

Well I think its all about the money, nothing but that.  I would do the following: - Put out prizes and bags of money for companies to compete in development of space application. - Raise the budget of the space agencies (NASA, ESA)  with 200% at least. - Focus on getting ISS developed for the next gen by keeping it "going" and adding new modules to it- Doing everything possible to start colonizing the Moon and Mars

tampaDreamer · Jun 9, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>... what would your plans be for the coming decades?If you were the head of NASA or some fictional global space agency, with no shortage of money, what would your plans be for the future of space exploration and science? Posted by Szkeptik</DIV> 1.  Lower cost to Earth Orbit.  This is the #1 thing that makes space expensive.  A space elevator would be ideal, but may be impractical/impossible.  Lighter materials and better rockets will go a long way in this regard.  Hopefully along with lowering the cost we would be able to lower the prep time.2.  ISRU - Construct self-sustaining moon habitat as a testbed for a mars habitat.  Ideally this would be made from metal or new-age carbon nanomaterials mined on the moon and cement from regolith.  You would need to mine water and O2 for the humans and CO2 and fertilizer components for the plants.  Working on this on the moon would allow us to do it one part at a time and ship the supplies for the parts that are not yet operational.  It would also reduce the risk because of the short return time.3.  Small Mars Colony with the technology from #2.  Clearly all of this involves great advancements in materials science, ISRU science, and robotics.  That is why I support our current program of working on the ISS and gathering data on the materials available on mars/moon.  It seems that materials science is getting a lot of attention because of the obvious earthbound commercial applications, but ISRU science needs more attention.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

If you were in charge of space exploration...

Szkeptik

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bearack

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baulten

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DrRocket

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Vinterstellar

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qso1

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jgrabham

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JonClarke

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Swampcat

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3488

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h2ouniverse

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ecitonburchelli

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aphh

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ZenGalacticore

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TerriG

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qso1

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MarcoSpace

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tampaDreamer

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