I assume putting people on the Moon[then Mars] boils down to "bragging
rights" for these countries? Can it also be a way to test out equipment
& such?
What about the role of possible extraterrestrials in this space race?
Some will dismiss extraterrestrials as "sci fi junk", but finding
extraterrestrials isn't so far fetched in the whole scheme of things.
A successful&truthful, positive contact with extraterrestrials would be
HUGE cause to brag, right? ;)
BlazeEagle
Dr. Core wrote:
Joseph Riggs wrote:
I've spoken with a couple of the Indians in my office, and both
seemed to think the news was positive. On the other hand, one of them
was also concerned with the potential cost of the project. Hopefully
it all works out in a good way, but we'll have to see how it goes.
It can definitely be done on the cheap. There's a risk (same for
China and India) of losing lives in a big fireball live on 6 O'Clock
News. But cost can be managed. Technology is not the main challenge.
The big challenge is risk, cost and project management. And I think
both countries are hoping to demonstrate the next level capability,
beyond the sub-10,000 workers manufacturing/tech support outfits
that's the current bread and butter... eh... rice and yogurt...
The Moon itself is not the real prize. The hope of one day beating
Microsoft, Boeing, GE etc is the real ambition.
But on the bragging rights side... if say by 2050 China, India, and
perhaps Russia and maybe even one or two private companies all manage
to put men on the Moon, then US will have no obvious distinction
amongst many space powers. That will really put pressure on the US gov
to do something spectacular. Like landing on Mars, perhaps?
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