The Why of Space Program Races

Deinhard writes "USA Today is running a story about the "why" behind the newly rekindled international space race. From the article: 'The science of space raises levels in areas such as computers, space materials, manufacturing technology, electronic equipment, systems integration and testing.' While it is a matter of national pride, China in specific also sees this as a way to increase the reputation of its high-tech exports."

Comments

Velcro

[OctoberSky]

Wasn't Velcro developed by NASA?

That sound alone is worth at least 150 Billion Dollars. [/sarcasm]

It's a pissing match.

[Shadow Wrought]

'nuff said.

We have more pressing priorities here

[lawpoop]

I am not against space research per se, but I think space research isn't the best place to be spending our limited research dollars. We are losing plant and animals species by the dozens each year, just when we are learning enough about DNA to make some real advances in biology and medicine. I don't think 'rocket science', atomic research, and metallurgy will be the science that puts food in the table in the upcoming centuries. Soon, we will be growing new plants, tools, dwellings and organs. The future will be unimaginable. We will live in a symbioses with living surroundings we will have created. If my prediction holds true, we are now in the process of burning million-year-old libraries of genetic information while shooting rockets into space.

If we can't solve the political, social, and economic problems we have right now here on Earth, nothing magic is going on happen on the long space journey to our 'new home'. We have to learn to effectively deal with these problems -- they are endemic to human existence, and they will follow us everywhere. We won't leave them behind if/when we leave Earth.