The secret laser-toting Soviet satellite that almost was

Re:The secret laser-toting Soviet satellite that almost was by epmatsw on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @10:54AM (#5712385)

I wasn't implying that. I guess the vibe I've always gotten is that space technology innovation has slowed pretty significantly since the height of the space race and that it would have been neat to see it get reinvigorated so recently.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:The secret laser-toting Soviet satellite that almost was by bdunbar on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @09:28PM (#5716303)

I'm not a subject matter expert, but in the last decade, there have been some huge strides forward in aerospace: SS1 for example was a _brilliant_ hack on the 'how do we get back from the edge of space without burning to cinders' problem.

NASA, faced with the problem, designed high-tech and fragile ceramics. Rutan, same problem, designed a craft that emulates a badminton birdie.

It's not that simple, but you get the idea.

[ Parent | on HN ]