Voyager 1 Spacecraft

[david63]

Just been watching this on the news and find it incredible that 40+ years ago there were those with not only the foresight but with the ability to conceive and build this spacecraft. Not only that but it will be travelling through space for thousands of years - sadly its batteries will run out long before that in about 10 years.

[Quizzical Bob]

Precisely. These youngster have it all far too easy.

[Silver_Shiney]

It is truly stunning what they have achieved but, honestly, wouldn't the money have been better spent alleviating suffering here on Planet Earth?

[Not so ancient mariner]

It is truly stunning what they have achieved but, honestly, wouldn't the money have been better spent alleviating suffering here on Planet Earth?

Sad to say, exploring space - in spite of its challenges - is actually easier. You don't have anyone actively sabotaging attempts at space exploration, which is not unknown with aid programmes.

[Silver_Shiney]

Unfortunately, that is very true, Notso

[oldbluefox]

It's just amazing what Voyager has sent back for the past 40 years and will continue sending back for a further 10 years now from the further extremes of space. It's an incredible piece of space engineering.

[david63]

It is truly stunning what they have achieved but, honestly, wouldn't the money have been better spent alleviating suffering here on Planet Earth?

Possibly - but then there is the somewhat intangible argument that the benefits from the space program over the last 50 or so years have brought many benefits (not necessarily all good) to the world which in some ways may have helped to alleviate some of the suffering.

[Silver_Shiney]

It is truly stunning what they have achieved but, honestly, wouldn't the money have been better spent alleviating suffering here on Planet Earth?

Possibly - but then there is the somewhat intangible argument that the benefits from the space program over the last 50 or so years have brought many benefits (not necessarily all good) to the world which in some ways may have helped to alleviate some of the suffering.

Agreed, but I was thinking more in terms of the money involved which could have been used to ship food out to the starving and provide clean water.

[david63]

It is truly stunning what they have achieved but, honestly, wouldn't the money have been better spent alleviating suffering here on Planet Earth?

Possibly - but then there is the somewhat intangible argument that the benefits from the space program over the last 50 or so years have brought many benefits (not necessarily all good) to the world which in some ways may have helped to alleviate some of the suffering.

Agreed, but I was thinking more in terms of the money involved which could have been used to ship food out to the starving and provide clean water.

But can you not say that about anything?

There are probably many more things that have had £billions ploughed into them in the last 50 years that could have been used to alleviate suffering - for example mobile phones

[Mervyn and Trish]

Sometimes these huge projects have benefits for us all. For example, without the space programme we wouldn't have the non-stick frying pan. So at least the starving millions can get a decent fried egg.

[Onelife]

Money well spent I say... especially so when you consider all the scientific and technology advancements which have come out space exploration... including my non-stick frying pan

Oh yes! And the human race has a far better chance now of outliving the death of this planet.

Must fly....

Regards

OL

[Mervyn and Trish]

So have you booked for the one way flight to Mars OL?

[Onelife]

Hi Mervyn and Trish

I’d like to get our daughters “A “levels out of the way first but given the opportunity and a terminal illness I can’t think of a better way of passing from this world to the next.

Regards

keith

[Kendhni]

For example, without the space programme we wouldn't have the non-stick frying pan.

Urban legend I am afraid.
Teflon was invented by/for DuPont in the 1930's.

[Onelife]

Hi ken

Mervyn was only referring to the Space designed handle...

Regards

Keith

[Mervyn and Trish]

For example, without the space programme we wouldn't have the non-stick frying pan.

Urban legend I am afraid.
Teflon was invented by/for DuPont in the 1930's.

Quite so. But the frying pan was discovered on the moon in 1969.

[Manoverboard]

For example, without the space programme we wouldn't have the non-stick frying pan.

Urban legend I am afraid.
Teflon was invented by/for DuPont in the 1930's.

Quite so. But the frying pan was discovered on the moon in 1969.

Amazon have already apologised for that as you well know

[Silver_Shiney]

Amazon have already apologised for that as you well know

Really? I thought it was wrongly addressed by eBay?

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Funny, thought I had contributed to this thread.

Fantastic achievement by NASA and the cost from project start to Neptune fly-past is about 8 cents per Capita US per annum, and no doubt the cost from then on out has dropped.