hiro2002":hxevu6eg said:
nec208":hxevu6eg said:
So in other words Japan and Europe wants to do it but have not made up their mind yet?
Yes.
If Japan (and Europe) decide to build manned spacecraft, we and they could build it within 10 years.
But it needs a lot of money.... and a mental preparation.
If the fatal accident occured, history of the space development of Japan would ends.
I wish that Japan build mannd spacecraft.
But there is a question .... "Why should we build manned spacecraft?"
We must prepare answer of the question.
Because explorers are followed by settlers, or at least industry. If Antarctica would be open for commercial exploitation, it would be crowded. Check the heat about the north pole and the area.
I'm guessing that the main reason against space is fear, fear from rockets, that are mainly used as a weapon, fear from unknown risks, and belief in financial loss, resulting from operations.
Space expansion will at some point bring weapons in space, even current satellites could harm someone if they fall in populated area. This is why some kind of international peace keeping force could help, get everyone involved, act as a police. This is a very touchy subject and safely under the carpet.
Next thing is the ownership of space assets. If there would be some reasonable limits on claims, i think it could move fast and after the first claim, that would be internationally recognized at least among the space capable nations, it would soon be followed by more such claims. I think, that government based international organizations should be able to make claims, after fulfilling agreed upon requirements.
This are not 60s anymore. Satellites are launched at a rate of couple per week, on a regular basis, it's not so uncommon anymore to have two or three spaceships docked to a space station at the same time.
Rocket tech is no rocket tech anymore, almost anyone can do it, as we can see on CNN.
Europe is not without private initiative in suborbital and orbital fight, just ESA is a bit slow on the question. I wish they had gone forward with the Hermes project, maybe after the constitutional changes something happens.
If USA would have a 10 year gap, it would be a great stimulation for ESA to move. ISRO is already buying Suyuzes and Russians are readying the successor.
Ariane doesn't need much fixing, to be able to launch people, Russians already have launch platform nearby, it's just a matter of deciding to move and finance it.
Current financial crisis could actually help, if building a space infrastructure is seen as building a highway/railway/seaway to space, to open it for Earth expansion, not just exploration.