Slashdot Mirror
Europe plans comet landing
El Jefe writes "The European space agency has plans to land on (a shoot a harpoon into) a comet. The spacecraft is called Rosetta, and is supposed to rendezvous with the comet Wirtanen in 2012. "
And all this time I thought cheesy Hollywood blockbusters where astronauts landed on asteroids had no scientific basis.
I find it interesting, however, that the spacecraft will secure itself to the comet through the use of a harpoon.
One problem is, the US government spending is influenced by the people, and the people all went to see "Star Wars" and think NASA should focus on space travel. It's somewhat short sighted. Trying to figure out a way to populate other planets with people from earth is a very very long and very very expensive process. A true danger that NASA could be working on is to develop a defence against asteroids.
Look at all the craters in the moon. It's evidence that nasty stuff happens. We don't see those craters here on earth, not because they never have hit, but because the rain, weather, wind, etc.. have washed them away. The earth is a bigger target.
Some scientists, even those -outside- the study of space, have started to deticate some of thier time to inform people of these dangers... Kary Mullis comes to mind (he is a Nobel winning chemist, so he is invited to speak at a lot of events. He is asked what he thinks of "global warming" and he acknoledges it, but makes it clear that he does not view it as our biggest threat, because we see it comming, and people can generally adapt pretty well. But, he has started to make a point to talk about dangers of asteroids in every talk he gives, just to spread awareness. And he isn't even an athority on it, just an example, the first person that came into my mind).
Star Trek and Star Wars are good entertainment, but so is Beavis and Buthead, and South Park. Just because thier cool to watch doesn't mean we should try to do what the people in the shows do. Hollywood isn't known for it's accuracy or scientific achievement.
have a look at :t s.html
http://www.mpae.gwdg.de/mpae_projects/mpae_projec