Slashdot Mirror
Assessing Asteroid Threat
Makarand writes "According to a proposal submitted to
the European Space Agency a fleet of
five mini-probes
should be sent each targeting an asteroid
considered potentially dangerous.
The mission objective will be to learn more about dangerous near earth objects so that we can plan how best to respond when under threat.
Once in space, the probes would use ion propulsion engines that provide thrust by shooting out a stream of electrically
charged particles. Power for the ion engines would be provided by ultra-lightweight solar arrays.
Each probe will carry instrumentation to learn about the physical and chemical make-up of the target. The mission would cost around $150 mil
which is quite low according to space mission standards."
We really shouldn't worry about things like this until we have to. It's just a waste of government money and time at this point (even though it is British money....). Perhaps that money could be spent better elsewhere? Like, on a cure for cancer? or maybe an effictive treatment for the AIDS/HIV epidimic?
I could be wrong, but this whole article seems like nothing more than a bunch of under-worked, over-paid scientists sitting around, trying to think of a way to make it appear that their valuable to the British Government, so they don't get fired.
It's a classic example of how to keep a job.
- Create perceived need for position (ie the inevetable collision of an asteroid into the Earth)
- Propose a study for possible eliminiation of this threat, however small the chance might be
- Send regular and lengthy papers to the funding orginization
- Collect paycheck
It's an old tune, simply more modern technology. Until the scientists are willing work for free on this kind of thing, and until the governments and other investors stop paying them, they will always take the "Doomsday" approach to every project and thought that crosses their mind.Not trying to say that science hasn't cause some great leaps in technology, but I think that researchers and other associated personel that want to try and prevent things like this, that could concevieably effect all of the flora and fauna on the planet, should work for as little as possible, and receive funding from ALL the world governments. I would hate to see science turn into a pay-driven career, like professional sports.
Scientists do deserve to be paid for their services, and their dedication to learning all that they can. But, I think that research with world-spanning possibilities (cancer or AIDS cures, prevention of a "killer asteroid", etc.) should be funded by everyone, and the scientists should work for only a reasonable fee, and shouldn't use money as their primary motivating factor.
--CypherDragon