2010 - A year full of changes

[glactus]

2010 is about to close. What a year it has been for us Astronomers, and what a mixed up year it has been for NASA. The cancellation of the return to the Moon project, the move to encourage the private sector into Space, and at last, funding for a heavy lift rocket that will be capable of taking us, first to the Asteroids, and then to Mars.


James Webb space telescope

What we are really waiting for is the deployment of the James Webb space telescope. Clearly a unique piece of space engineering, and an instrument that will take us back almost to the beginning of time itself.

Perhaps we will finally be able to determine if there really was a Big Bang, or two Universe's in collision, explaining why there are so many monster galaxies where they should not be, and perhaps we will be able to learn more about dark Energy.

Whatever happens when this new space telescope is in place, one thing is for sure - we will be able to view some spectacular images from the bowels of the Universe.

2010 also saw a change in the Space Talk home page to Andy's back up site, a page so beautifully laid out, ease of access and clarity, and covering all those divisions of Astronomy that are close to us.

It's a pity that our planet is in such a mess, for the drive to far away worlds will always be in a "What's the hurry" time frame as far as politicians are concerned, and they are right, for our priorities should be in paying attention to poverty, homelessness and the saving of a dying planet, leaving our dream of going to the Stars to future generations.


James Webb

[Andy Mac]

Dec 19, 2010 19:22:27 GMT glactus said:

2010 also saw a change in the Space Talk home page to Andy's back up site, a page so beautifully laid out, ease of access and clarity, and covering all those divisions of Astronomy that are close to us.

Of course this is by far the most important event, space-wise, which 2010 will be remembered for! It's a real shame that so many classic posts from the old site have been lost for ever but I have to say that I much prefer all of the features that you get on ProBoards - especially as its a freebie!

As to what the future holds regarding space exploration - yes, I guess it's a very sensitive issue at present given the issues which you mention in your post Henry. I guess that we'll just have to wait & see..........................

Dec 19, 2010 19:22:27 GMT glactus said:

leaving our dream of going to the Stars to future generations.

If we're going to be pushing up the daisies before the dream is realised perhaps we should follow the example of one of the nutters (sadly no longer with us) in my family for whom it was rumoured had bought a glass coffin several decades earlier (he loved going to funerals BTW) so that he could see who had turned up to his own funeral. Perhaps if we all do likewise, we won't necessarily have to miss out on future space travel after all!!

[glactus]

Yes, it is a pity that we have lost such valuable input from the old site, and maybe we can encourage those members to come back for the new Space talk site is up with the world's best.

There is, of course, a lot going on relating to Mars exploration than most realize, with several space agencies active with robotic instrumentation, both orbital and territorial.

I watched a great article on TV the other night about the huge US nuclear submarine and how they made an abundant amount of oxygen from water, and seeing that the poles of Mars seem to be icy, that same technology can be used on the Red Planet quite easily.

The other two things that have to be overcome is food production and human biological issues.

There is no doubt that humans will colonize Mars - when? Maybe towards the end of this century.



Glactus