Could the moon provide clean energy for Earth?

[Dexter Sinister]

...there has to be a viable financial plan for space, there was for Columbus.

Not really, history doesn't bear that out. The wealth, mostly gold, that came back to Spain from its adventures in the New World started an inflationary spiral that eventually ruined the Spanish empire and left it one of the weaker nations in Europe, which it's been ever since.

... the tech to go there is 40 years old, this is not dangerous exploration any more.

Right, the shuttle was perfectly safe, never lost a ship or a crew. I don't think you have even a rudimentary understanding of what you're talking about. If you think sending people in an environment that's more or less instantly fatal without complex and expensive protective gear isn't dangerous, let me be the first to invite you to step out onto the surface of the moon for a run wearing only shoes, shorts, and a t-shirt.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

Not really, history doesn't bear that out. The wealth, mostly gold, that came back to Spain from its adventures in the New World started an inflationary spiral that eventually ruined the Spanish empire and left it one of the weaker nations in Europe, which it's been ever since. Right, the shuttle was perfectly safe, never lost a ship or a crew. I don't think you have even a rudimentary understanding of what you're talking about. If you think sending people in an environment that's more or less instantly fatal without complex and expensive protective gear isn't dangerous, let me be the first to invite you to step out onto the surface of the moon for a run wearing only shoes, shorts, and a t-shirt.

Yeah, really, the capitalists had a plan to trade with China if Columbus made it there. They traded with other parts of the world too. No plan, it wouldn't hurt to read a little history.

Meanwhile, the English govt spent about nothing to colonize northern America, and things worked out economically much better. And Spain was a power until 1800. People always criticize Spain for everything. The ancient enemy of England need not be Canada's enemy too.

A Shuttle crashed in 1986, Columbia. Maybe you weren't born yet.

 

[SLM]

Actually it was Challenger that exploded on take-off in 1986 and Columbia burned up on re-entry & crashed in 2003. I'd say there is still at least some potential danger in space flight, it's not just a monetary barrier.

 

[Tonington]

A Shuttle crashed in 1986, Columbia. Maybe you weren't born yet.

You don't recognize sarcasm?

 

[gerryh]

Yeah, really, the capitalists had a plan to trade with China if Columbus made it there. They traded with other parts of the world too. No plan, it wouldn't hurt to read a little history.

Meanwhile, the English govt spent about nothing to colonize northern America, and things worked out economically much better. And Spain was a power until 1800. People always criticize Spain for everything. The ancient enemy of England need not be Canada's enemy too.

A Shuttle crashed in 1986, Columbia. Maybe you weren't born yet.

ROFLMAO, once again dumpy proves his complete ignorance on any subject he posts on and get's himself pwned.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

Oh yes, talking about Spain and Columbus, and then saying you're sarcastic. The geniuses that exist here.

And Gerryh, Mr One-line, that's all the demented can achieve. Same old stale horseshi* from a piece of it. Wallowing in it, eating it.

 

[JLM]

ROFLMAO, once again dumpy proves his complete ignorance on any subject he posts on and get's himself pwned.

There are subtle and diplomatic ways of correcting posters, Gerry, without having to piss people off or hurt their feelings! :smile:

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

Actually it was Challenger that exploded on take-off in 1986 and Columbia burned up on re-entry & crashed in 2003. I'd say there is still at least some potential danger in space flight, it's not just a monetary barrier.

There's plenty of danger in space flight, and there's no money in it yet. That's exploration, high risk, high reward or no reward sometimes. Yet unless you take a trip to another country or land, you don't really know what it's like. Then you learn more when you live there for a while. We're never going to get the space solar energy or Moon minerals unless we go to where this stuff is once in a while.

 

[petros]

No money in it? Satellites are terrible investments.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

No money in it? Satellites are terrible investments.

There is money in sending metal up into space.

 

[petros]

And there is safety and control of having the high ground of ISiS.