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Japan Considering Moon Base, Shuttle Projects
ScentCone writes "A brief article at Newsday mentions a Monday report that JAXA, Japan's counterpart to NASA, is looking at robotic probes on the moon by 2015, and construction on a solar-powered manned research base starting there by 2025. The (very) big bump in the agency's budget will also get spent on tsunami warning technology and other terrestrial communications technology development."
Now there will be an agency who can take up the awesome reposinibility of communicating to us the dangers of tsunamis from the moon!
Moon tsunami, I fear you no longer!
I am also considering a moonbase, but I don't get a front page story.
actualy its more like masturbation its fun by yourself till someone comes along to help you
Now that Japan is trying to do stuff on the moon, I am sure that old GW will stop at nothing to claim the entire moon in the name of USA and freedom fries.
"Gentlemen, allow me to demonstrate the awesome lethality of the Alan Parsons Project. Fire the laser!"
Headline should read "Robotic probes build moonbase... in Japan."
In other news, the JAXA robotic space probe seems to have taken great interest in the American flag on the moon. Aparently the Japanese have figured out how to use spray paint effectivly in space...
Too bad Google beat 'em to it.
OK, maybe I do watch The Simpsons way too often.
Now witness the power of this fully armed and operational tentacle station upon the quivering form of a miniskirt-wearing Sarah Connor!
Never underestimate the power of the otaku side.
The coolest part is that their rocket ship will be nuclear powered and turns into a really big robot when attacked or befriended by a child.
Hey, maybe this is what NASA needs to convince the gov't we need another moon mission.
I want a wing on back of my lunar rover!
Oh wait, no atmosphere...
I guess a Type R sticker will have to do.
In other news, the Japanese government has proposed to raise the sunken WWII-era battleship Yamato...
Someday, you're going to die. Get over it.
construction of mechanized battle suits, known as "mobile suits." However, critics are concerned that these suits are more for show than for fulfillment of any particular military requirement.
"Despite the incredibly advanced mobile suit research that is under way," says lead engineer Fukatsu Misukutu, "these suits will be equipped with solid projectile weapons systems, in lieu of laser beams, and other seizure-inducing weaponry." According to Misukutu, "it is our opinion that bullets are still cooler than lasers, and will remain so for the forseeable future. Our mobile suits will also be equipped with onboard cartridge production systems. Therefore, you will never see a mobile suit crewman change a clip"
Military brass seem upset with the decision to continue using outmoded weapons systems in these futuristic weapons platforms. Their concerns have largely gone unanswered, possibly due to the Japanese' tendancy to prever frivolous features over functionality. Many mobile suit developers have claimed that "laser beams are so '80s."
Scientists also have planned a flight-capable model of the mobile suit. Although not equipped with wings, the mobile suits exhibit mysteriously effective flight characteristics. "We believe that the key to the mobile suit's excellent flyability lies in the outrageous number of fins and otherwise useless protrusions in the suit's design. Besides making the suit look fucking cool, it makes the suit fly."
Scientists also have planned a special combined weapons platform feature. This will allow multiple mobile suits to link together, splitting piloting and targetting duties between each suit's crewman. "We are considering a morphing capability that will allow multiple suits to rotate and resize appendages, to allow the suit to take on alternate physical appearances, such as a tiger, a triceratops, or a T-rex. Such capability will undoubtedly demoralize any enemy combattants that attempt to resist the mobile suit weapons platform," Misukutu said.
Ultimately, only the future will tell how the mobile suit fares in combat situations. Many within the Japanese military believe that development should continue on conventional ground armor and aviation weapons systems. If we know anything about Japan, however, it's that tried and true tactics and equipment is just too boring if it doesn't have wings, rockets, useless wings, and lots of pokey-things.
-Associated Press
is this a book plot? can I steal it from you if it is not? It sounds like a fun read whether it is Hard SF or Humorous SF
So how long before we can expect to see bi-pedal Gundam-like mechs on this moonbase?
"If you were plowing a field, which would you rather use? Two strong oxen or 1024 chickens?" --Seymour Cray
In Korea, only old people want moonbases.
I can't speak to the embarassment part, but until our fearless leader convinced them to send troops to Iraq postwar Japan was content to be a very pacifist nation with a self-defense military. I predict that will have some entertaining side-effects in the decades to come, although I can't judge its future ranking on the "Dubya, Gosh THAT Was Stupid" historical chart.
Now before I get modded down, I be to remind whoever might read this that what I am saying is FACT. - bogaboga
Briefly?
Now before I get modded down, I be to remind whoever might read this that what I am saying is FACT. - bogaboga