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Buzz Advocates Lagrange Point Spaceport

Posted by michael on from the shipping-and-receiving dept.

thrasymachus writes "Buzz Aldrin has an editorial in the New York Times (free reg req) advocating a spaceport at a Lagrange point between the Earth and the moon over simply more moon missions. He emphasizes the cost and practicality of such a station, as well its potential as a 'bridge to the heavens.'"

13 of 425 comments (clear)

  1. Maybe we should involve... by ooby · · Score: 5, Funny

    ZZ Top

  2. China, Russia and the Space Race by MURD3R3R · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am sure there will be legal battles about who can claim ownership of the lagrange points similar to the legal battles of Antarctica.

    1. Re:China, Russia and the Space Race by Patrik_AKA_RedX · · Score: 5, Funny
      The US was the first to land men on the moon, therefore it belongs to the US. Why is that so complicated for the rest of the world to understand?
      Well, the Native American were the first people on your continent too. So we'll follow your example and let you build up a nice base and then we'll come and sell you some blankets with some neat virus as secret bonus.
  3. Buzz on cable news by N8F8 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Saw an inteview this morning on CNN I believe. He talked about the L2 point idea as well as the dificulty with all the other things going on in the world as well as the budget deficit.

    Most opponents to this idea don't consider that they are talking about realigning NASA in the direction of achieving this one big mission instead of the aimless direction it has been moving if for quite awhile. Not more money, just applying existing resources in a specific direction.

    --
    "God fights on the side with the best artillery." - Napoleon, Marshal of France - speaking truth to power
    1. Re:Buzz on cable news by TopShelf · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I wish people would stop blaming politicians, and point the finger squarely at the American public. People seem to gravitate mindlessly to tax-cutting messages, without considering the impact. Nobody wants to pay taxes, but they all want good schools, safe and well-maintained streets, etc. If the public got behind the idea of a space port or moon landing, the politicians would follow. It does indeed happen, even in these cynical times.

      --
      Stop by my site where I write about ERP systems & more
  4. Google Link by erinacht · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's actually quite a good read but not enough to make me want to register...

    Just click on the link after the text
    If the URL is valid, try visiting that web page by clicking on the following link:

  5. Don't disagree with Buzz!!! by Keebler71 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Here is a link the famous Buzz Aldrin "punch" video wherein he punches some moron who calls him a liar about having ever been to the moon. Posted for your enjoyment :)

    --
    "It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance." - Thomas Sowell
  6. Building bridges in the wrong place? by ShavenYak · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Something like 90% of the energy needed to get to the Moon is spent just getting to low earth orbit. While it might be an interesting project, a Lagrange point space station isn't going to make space travel much cheaper. We've got to solve the "first 100 mile problem", to paraphrase the telecomm industry.

    I can't say whether a space elevator is feasible, but it seems a more useful goal to shoot for. That, or some method of launch better than strapping on a shitload of explosives and lighting the fuse.

    --

    Hey kids, there's only 5 days left 'til Yak Shaving Day!
  7. We can't even fund ISS by tinrobot · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We can hardly get a space station built in low earth orbit. I would imagine building one at L2 to be even more difficult.

    Besides, how do you explain to the Amercian people that getting to L2 is an amazing accomplishment? They barely understand the moon and mars, forget explaining Lagrange points.

  8. Lagrange Points by DarkDust · · Score: 5, Informative

    A really interesting article about Lagrange Points can be found here. What I found really fascinating is the fact that it seems like that the earth pulls/pushes dust around space on the earth-moon Lagrange Points L4 and L5.

  9. I pay my taxes knowingly and willingly by revscat · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Nobody wants to pay taxes, but they all want good schools, safe and well-maintained streets, etc.

    I think I'm the only person on the freaking planet who actually considers paying taxes a civic duty, and that pays them willingly and with the knowledge that it is in my best interest to do so. (And no, not in some "if you don't you go to jail" way, either.) Taxes pay for bad things, taxes pay for good things. I oppose the former and support the latter.

    Too many people are patriotic right up until you ask them to put their money where their mouth is.

  10. For those who dont know what Lagrange Points are.. by Manhigh · · Score: 5, Informative

    AKA Libration Points...

    For any heavenly body with a satellite in a relatively circular orbit, there are 5 points where gravitational forces and centripetal accelerations cancel each other out. Three fall on a line that connects the two bodies, and the other form a pair of equilateral triangles with the heavenly bodies.

    L1 between the two bodies
    L2 on the far side of the smaller body
    L3 on the far side of the larger body
    L4 is the "leading" equilateral point
    L5 is the "trailing" equilateral point

    L4 and L5 are relatively stable. Putting a station at L1-3 would require more propellant to keep it there, though not an unreasonable amount.

    Personally, I'd rather go for a base on the Moon that at a libration point. Sure, it requires more propellant to get to and from there, but its also a permanent fixture, rather than something that would need to be disposed of eventually.

    --
    "Open the pod by doors, Hal" > "I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave" sudo "Open the pod bay doors, Hal" > alright
  11. Home on Lagrange by sshore · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oh give me a locus
    Where the gravitons focus
    Where the three-body problem is solved
    Where the microwaves play
    Down at 3 degrees K
    And the cold virus never evolved

    Home, home on Lagrange,
    Where the space debris always collects,
    We possess, so it seems, two of Man's greatest dreams,
    Solar power and zero-gee sex.

    (to the tune of "Home on the range")