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Proposed Next-Generation Space Station

Posted by timothy on from the one-ticket-for-5/6ths-of-the-way-to-the-moon dept.

WallytheWalrus writes "This NewScientist.com article discusses the proposed next generation of telescopes and space stations. The concept presented with little fanfare by the NASA Exploration Team (NEXT) consists of placing a space station about 5/6ths of the way to the moon at one of a handful of local Lagrangian Points. This station would act as a springboard for constructing new telescopic mirrors, maintaining the telescopes that use them, and as a haven for future manned exploration missions. If only NEXT's budget was more than $4 million a year...."

7 of 153 comments (clear)

  1. Well... by Helter · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Unfortunately you can't take all of NASA's plans at face value. They also have a plan filed to start populating mars in 2018.

  2. Not again... by CleverNickName · · Score: 4, Interesting

    WTF is this? The misleading Star Trek topic titles day?

    You're making me earn my karma today, you bastards.

    Okay, on topic: Am I the only person who really wants us to go back to the moon? If this space station gets built, I sure hope that they use it to act as a halfway point between the earth and the moon, and not as just a platform for Orbital Mind Control Lasers.

    1. Re:Not again... by Cyno01 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      they don't need orbital mind control lasers, they already have the HAARP instaltaion

      --
      "Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."
    2. Re:Not again... by blincoln · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Am I the only person who really wants us to go back to the moon?

      Heck no. I won't be satisfied until we have self-sustaining colonies on the moon and Mars, with plans for them in other star systems. Keeping all of our eggs in one basket is probably the scariest thing I can think of.

      My granddad actually worked on the Apollo project. A few years before he died we were all having dinner and talking about space exploration, and it was obvious how disappointed he was that we hadn't even gotten people to Mars yet. You'd think we could do better in 30 years.

      --
      "...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman
  3. Quote by mckayc · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If only NEXT's budget was more than $4 million a year....

    If only NASA could stay within their proposed budgets...

    Seriously though, Congress wouldn't be so iffy about giving NASA money if they actually stayed within their budget. Now no matter how little they say a project will cost, everyone will always roll their eyes and assume it'll cost like 10 times that.

    1. Re:Quote by PyroMosh · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Just one?

      The Panama Canal.

      Lockheed Martin's X-33 single-stage-to-orbit reusable launch vehicle concept.

      NASA's Mars Global Surveyor

      The NEAR space probe (and it was delivered 9 months ahead of schedule!)

      The World Trade Center recovery effort.

      The US Navy's Super Hornet (upgrade to the old F/A-18 Hornet Naval strike fighter)

      The U2 Spy Plane

      Also, I remember hearing from the Discovery Chanel or TLC or Discovery Wings or something that the F-117 Stealth Fighter was developed under budget, but I can't seem to find a reliable link.

      Golden Grove Prison at St. Croix in the US Vigrin Islands.

      The Grand Staircase-Escalante monument in Utah.

      It happens. It's rare percentage wise, but it does happen all the time. With the exception of the last two, which I only found out from google searching for links for the rest, I knew of all of these off of the top of my head, so it's not a big secret or anything. Just think of all the mundane projects that come in under budget too. Government buildings, roadways, etc.

      --
      Touch everywhere, even when inappropriate.
  4. Re:Raise Taxes by blincoln · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I would be happy to pay higher taxes if it would help expand our presence in space.

    --
    "...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman