6 billion USD

[kathyv]

It seem the American Government is planning to support the developement of a giant space elevator to launch man even further into the universe. They have decided this will be a safer mode of launching than the currant rocket boosters.

It will cost, projected, 6 billion US dollars.

The scientists say they can and will do it and Bush has stated whoever does this will "own" space.

Any comments?

[Mistress]

Originally posted by kathyv
It seem the American Government is planning to support the developement of a giant space elevator to launch man even further into the universe. They have decided this will be a safer mode of launching than the currant rocket boosters.

It will cost, projected, 6 billion US dollars.

The scientists say they can and will do it and Bush has stated whoever does this will "own" space.

Any comments?

[i]Well.. it seems a bit on the expensive side.. lol. but then again, I wouldn't know diddly when it comes to projects such as these.. But I do think that it maybe something that should be put into play for I do fell that Space Exploration is very important to us today.. and for the future.

Not as important as finding cures for Aids, Cancer, etc but perhaps a cure can be found up there? lol.. who knows..

Mistress

[Talon]

well from the cost aspect of it...obviously its ridiculous...and I think that will be true for most of the things we will ever talk about here in the Science and Technology section...so I dont think we should really talk about the money side of things when it comes to these projects..as the obvious negativity of that will over shadow the advancement itself....

And I think that its fantastic... I first read about this over ten years ago..at that time I believe it was called the umbilical(sp?) named for obvious reasons...I am delighted to hear that its even closer to fruition, as all of the hypothosis behind it does seem very sound... I would also be curious to see what the artists impressions of it look like now...and wonder if you have any links on this for us kathy??

[kathyv]

Been searching around the web looking for conformation about the story reported on ITV last weekend. Can't find it. Now I am wondering where this report came from as I have read through Bush's speech transcript on the NASA site and saw no mention of this plan. There is a long, LONG range plan for rebuilding the US Space Program and solving some recent mechanical difficulties.

Check http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html for links to tech goals in the space program.

This story was reported just befor the Madrid bombings and the possiblity of the discovering of the new planet, I wonder if these have superceded this other report?

While I agree that the discussion of cost is unnecesary to the technology, it seems that science must validate all developements with cash info..... and for some this is a real issue in the States. Many feel we should use our tax money to take care of humanity.

What bothers me is the British reporter stating that Bush said "whoever does this will 'own' space". I would hope that space belongs to all.

[Talon]

After a bit of a search I started to find several sites on the Idea itself...here is one such site..for anyone whom may be interested...

Space Elevator


I also came across the quote you refer to on my travels..and I would agree that space is hardly even something one could own..lol.. and the notion of it is quite proposterous...

but then people are silly...


I would also agree about the costing issues of these types of advancements and others.... and to be honest I have no concept of six billion dollars... it is just a ludicrous amount of money... though with what is spent in other areas it is, within the large scale of things, not all that much really... if that is we have any comprehension as individuals of how much money it is in the first place....

I six billion percent agree also with the people whom think that this kind of money would be better used for humanitarian reasons... from that perspective ... I think its diabolical that this money would even be considered being spent on these "flights of fancy" when it could be used far more effectivly to solve many humanitarian and economical problems both at home and abroad...

I was just meaning that from the perspective of this forum there would be no point really in encumbering ourselves with such profound issues when really its just the philosophy of this discovery thats important... I am sorry if you think I was criticising you...that was never my intention...



anyway I hope you enjoy the link...I found lots more on this subject...but they all say just about the same thing... It was however interesting to find out its origins..

[kathyv]

I didn't read any criticism into your post Talon. I do agree that this forum is about the technology and not the money. And like you, I have a hard time seeing what $6 Billion looks like! But then sometimes I have difficulty with $6oo! LOL

I looked at the link you posted. Very interesting. I wonder what a structure that size and of that weight would do to Earth's orbital equilibrium? Not to mention the stabillity of the structure itself, even anchoring it to some orbiting body, seems risky to me. And moving something like an asteroid to anchor it to, into close Earth proximiny also seems risky. What will that do to things like tides? (kathyv questions running rampant!)

Obviously the scientists working on this have thought it through. I guess it's up to the engineres to work out the practical applications.

I wonder if Auther C. Clark is amazed at this!?

[Talon]

LOL..

Good I am glad then...I did not wish it to sound as if I was dismissing the monetary significance offhand..


On the concept of understanding 6 billion dollars also wanted to say that...the best they could do with the 6 Million Dollar Man was make him look like Lee Majors..lol..and he actually started doing everything in slow motion...so if thats all they could do with 6 million...6 Billion cannot really be all that much...lol


Yes... I too can see how dragging an asteroid close would not be one of the human races brightest ideas..lol.. but I have this other link for you too look at...the idea that is put forth in this "Anchoring" seems far more viable...though I am confused as to how they get such a mass into space in the first place..lol...

also it covers the concept of the Floating Base Station...though not in any real detail..lol

Pacific Ocean

oh and in this representation they say it would be at least $10 Billion