Re:Apollo 11 Guidance Computer vs. USB-C Chargers
by op00to on Friday February 07, 2020 @05:03PM
(#22271514)
> useless lets-grow-salad-in-space-oh-look-its-just-salad timesinks
This is called basic research. It's geared towards building greater knowledge of a study area without specific concerns towards application. That's how science works. We don't just fund the stuff that's immediately profitable (though things are shifting that way).
Re:Apollo 11 Guidance Computer vs. USB-C Chargers
by kelnos on Friday February 07, 2020 @07:20PM
(#22272640)
It might seem 'obvious' that salad is just salad when grown in space, but you don't know that until you try. Understanding how various foods grow in space would seem to be a pretty basic necessity if we're going to attempt any kinds of long-term settlements or research stations where regular resupply from Earth is dicey.
Re:Apollo 11 Guidance Computer vs. USB-C Chargers
by dave_blob on Friday February 07, 2020 @05:52PM
(#22272004)
That's the same SpaceX that has launched 240 visible objects into orbit in the last year?
More than doubling the number of visible man made objects (~200 till the start of the SpaceX Starlink project).
And with fcc approval for another 12,000 and plans for a further 30,000.
It excites me alright, but certainly not in a good way...
The scientific case for the moon was always weak, and most anything they could come up with has been done. Just look at the useless lets-grow-salad-in-space-oh-look-its-just-salad timesinks the ISS has been busying themselves with.
So, in a way we've become much smarter. And SpaceX, a commercial outfit with both solid financials, a good track record on safety, and rather unlimited ambition is probably the most exciting thing happening since the first moon landing.