Discovery blasts off to ISS Space shuttle Discovery today lifted off at 10:21 GMT from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on its STS-131 mission to the International Space Station. Discovery launches from Kennedy Space Center. Pic: NASA TV On board are commander Alan Poindexter, pilot Jim Dutton, and mission specialists Rick Mastracchio, Stephanie …
Yeah because something which gets a large number of different countries working together peacefully (including some that had been, until recently, at each others throats), is pointless idiocy. By improving international relations it should allow for lower defense spending (which is where most of the 'wasted' money is).
By comparison the total 30 year cost of the ISS (to all countries involved in it) is less than 3 years or so of the US black ops budget, about a quarter of the yearly total US defense budget. Add the defense budgets of the other 15 odd countries involved and... you can see where that's going.
You can make all the excuses you like to justify the cost. But they don't work.
Why not?
Because what we have, at the heart of the issue, is a bunch of aged Trekkies trying to keep the dream alive. Except the dream is over, and has been for several decades. Star Trek, and the space program in any meaningful form, ended in the 1960s.
Guys, it's over, let it go.
... the advancement of science and our knowledge of the universe, curiosity about which is what makes us what we are. But neanderthals like yourself probably can't get your brain cell around such concepts. Just... go back to your cave and sharpen your spear or something, and leave us members of Homo sapiens to discuss our future.
Humans do things that aren't strictly logical -- excepting the subset of humans that are bean counters. Scientific endeavour is one thing; art another. Even religion can be considered as being valueless. It's this pointlessness that separates humanity from trolls.
And space rockets do make mighty loud noises with lots of exciting flames...
The air was perfectly still and I actually heard the launch 90 miles away. It got here after the SRBs separated, but it rattled buildings. That's pretty rare.
Oh, and ISS passed over 20 minutes beforehand. NASA-TV pointed it out, so I was sure it was the station this time.
The exhaust trail backlit by the morning sun was pretty spectacular. I'm sure there will be lots of pics of that floating about soon.
Took my kids out of school in Feb to see the "LAST" night-time launch of the space shuttle - went to Titusville (TWICE) at 4 in the morning to see it. This one also went at night in the end, at the much more civilized time of 6ish. Last year I bought Timeshare in Funchal, and you see what happened? So, if any of you want a company shorted, let me know and I'll buy some shares.
Seriously though, all the best to the crew. As for those who think space travel is a waste, I invite you to avoid doing everything that isn't strictly necessary. For most of you, that will include breathing. The invite stands.
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