OT: future of a manned space exploration.

[Baron Munchausen]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
There is a hush hush military space program in the US that gets something like 10x the funding of NASA...

That's probably Aurora, the replacement for the SR71. It's reputedly a 'ramjet' or 'scramjet' and given the performance levels it must sustain to do what is claimed I can believe it would cost as much as or more than the shuttle. If it does what the rumors say it is very close to the 'orbital plane' they are talking about for a shuttle replacement.

The reason for the lack of support for the public Version might well be the existence of the secret one. Rather than make a big public commitment to this technology the intelligence/military community would certainly rather that it be kept quiet so their potential targets don't realize it is possible and start planning to defend themselves against it. Spy satellites became dramatically less useful once various enemies learned about timing their activities between their predictable passes. If they realized that a 'plane' could fly at 200,000+ feet they would know to point their radar up high enough and watch for it. Knowing it's there lets them hide their activities even if they can't shoot it down. A major advantage in surveillance could be lost.

[Fyron]

Originally posted by oleg:

quote:

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Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
There is a hush hush military space program in the US that gets something like 10x the funding of NASA...

Stargate ?

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No, a real program.

BM, I forget what it is called, but it is a full blown agency similar to NASA, not just a single project. And all military applications of course.

[ September 16, 2003, 23:34: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[EvilGenius4ABetterTomorro]

That's why hammers cost $400. and a coffee pot $200. All that extra money goes into the black budget where it can't be accounted for.

[Narrew]

[quote]Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:

No, a real program.

BM, I forget what it is called, but it is a full blown agency similar to NASA, not just a single project. And all military applications of course.

Majestic?
Project Blue Book? *umm, puts on thinking hat*

I really like the Stargate one, it would be perfect to have a Sci-fi program to get us used to the idea, I mean even Regan said something to the effect "how would we react if the Earth was confronted by a evil alien force", and I dont think he was talking about illegal immigration either!

But hell, we should spend more money and really start pushing the envelope, I mean just working on technology to mine asteroids would eventually pay for its self. Also, I wonder if space exploration became a private enterprise, couldnt they just go somewhere and lay claim to anything since no one else is doing it? Humm, Microsoft decides to use the billions of the money they have just sitting around, go to Mars, and claim it as their own, put some R & D labs on planet, a few defensive platforms in orbit, THAT would be a monopoly!!!

[Baron Munchausen]

Originally posted by Narrew:
[QBBut hell, we should spend more money and really start pushing the envelope, I mean just working on technology to mine asteroids would eventually pay for its self. Also, I wonder if space exploration became a private enterprise, couldnt they just go somewhere and lay claim to anything since no one else is doing it? Humm, Microsoft decides to use the billions of the money they have just sitting around, go to Mars, and claim it as their own, put some R & D labs on planet, a few defensive platforms in orbit, THAT would be a monopoly!!![/QB]

Hmm, I can just see the EULAs that would go with the colonization licenses. This planet is licensed, not sold. By landing you agree to all terms, including delivery of your first born to MS for conditioning as Microserfs.

With apologies to the original author on the Master of Orion Boards at Delphi:

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[ September 17, 2003, 22:59: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]

[EvilGenius4ABetterTomorro]

And if this other "Covert NASA" is far enough ahead in exploration (with or without E.T. help) maybe they already know all the best planets are already taken. However this gets into the "Is there life out there?" thread.
Wouldn't that be depressing! We finally get the ability for interstellar travel and find some other race has taken all the "Eden" planets.
Maybe we should be a subjugate of the E.T.'s

"Back to your stinking planet Monkey Boy!..oh here's some shiny trinkets for you to play with. Try not to kill each other!"

[Parasite]

Originally posted by Narrew:
... go to Mars, and claim it as their own ...

Unfortunately the USA has signed a treaty (The Moon treaty ) that disallows claiming space objects for goverments or private industries. Many think this is causing companies not to try to go to space to get resources (the obvious reason after lebensraum). The emphasis is all on Space Tourism, Satillite Graveyards, and such.