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The Way Space Really Works
In his interesting article in The Atlantic (June, 2008) Gregg
Easterbrook emphasizes the threat of asteroid impacts on Earth by saying, “Wouldn’t shifting NASA’s focus away from wasting money on the Moon and toward…deflecting dangerous space objects…” be more likely to increase national prestige? Let’s examine a few of the misconceptions in this question. The discovery and characterization of asteroids is a NASA function but their removal as a threat (at least to the U.S.) would probably be coordinated by DoD. Legalities aside, the bigger issue is that few people understand the seriousness of the asteroid threat to Earth. The last megaton-level impact was in 1908 in Siberia. Not many of us were alive then and nobody’s been killed since, so it’s hard to identify with. Easterbrook quotes the odds as 10% per century “of a dangerous space- object strike” somewhere on Earth. The last 200 years indicate — and this blog continues to document –that the next international race to space will begin within 5 to 10 years (See The Forecasts). Fortunately, a space-strike that could “kill millions” is very unlikely in the next few years, and that’s probably the only way in the short term to focus national attention on this issue. What do the last 200 years teach us? .... For more please see: http://21stCenturyWaves.com |
#2
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The Way Space Really Works
On Mon, 2 Jun 2008 21:19:56 -0700 (PDT),
wrote: What do the last 200 years teach us? .... ....Actually, the past couple of years have taught us that Greg Easterbrook is an idiot. A mathemaidiot, to be specific. Around sci.space.*, he has about as much credibility as Geoff Bell does - damn near AbZero. He rants and raves just to hear himself pretend to have an impact on space exploration. The best thing that could happen is if he simply went away and/or go found some other flag to **** on. OM -- ]=====================================[ ] OMBlog - http://www.io.com/~o_m/omworld [ ] Let's face it: Sometimes you *need* [ ] an obnoxious opinion in your day! [ ]=====================================[ |
#3
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The Way Space Really Works
On Jun 2, 11:19 pm, wrote:
What do the last 200 years teach us? .... That people born in 1808 failed to stay alive 'till now? |
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