Has Elon Musk revived interest in space? Are we on the cusp of a new space age?

[JohnBrown1917]

Only for the ultra rich, if you wanted anything to actually benefit the masses you would need government funded space travel and youd have no need for billionares like Musk.

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Haha true, I mean it's not ideal and disgusting but on the other hand it may benefit us greatly by establishing local planetary bases/science outposts and economy.

While the ultra will get the enjoy the luxuries they are used.

Nothing great about that future.

[Easo]

Only for the ultra rich, if you wanted anything to actually benefit the masses you would need government funded space travel and youd have no need for billionares like Musk.

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While the ultra will get the enjoy the luxuries they are used.

Nothing great about that future.

Ah yes, doom and gloom. Guess what - mobile phones were also only for the rich, so were computers and even cars, not to mention air travel. Yet that all changed.

[JohnBrown1917]

Ah yes, doom and gloom. Guess what - mobile phones were also only for the rich, so were computers and even cars, not to mention air travel. Yet that all changed.

Not as long as it stays purely private, or do you think anybody but the ultra rich going to mars will actually not be explioted by them? Now with no government oversight.


Telephones and computers are something we can thank various government funded projects for, and airplanes, you mean the ones where your average flyer is packed into the plane like a sardine? How is that a good example?

[Shadowferal]

The working poor sure as hell doesn't give a shit.

[Ihavewaffles]

The race to find the first low life organism, some bacteria on mars?

............im thrilled..................................

[Easo]

Not as long as it stays purely private, or do you think anybody but the ultra rich going to mars will actually not be explioted by them? Now with no government oversight.


Telephones and computers are something we can thank various government funded projects for, and airplanes, you mean the ones where your average flyer is packed into the plane like a sardine? How is that a good example?

Tell me, my dear socialist Bulgarian, are you one of those who automatically deem useless everything that does not give immediate benefit to everyone?
Also, if you understand what our tech level is, how fast it is evolving, then you should know that "ultra rich going to Mars" is something neither you or me will live to see, outside of single exceptions in a group with real astronauts. And even that is close to unlikely.

It is a perfect example - you can cheaply and fast get to any place in the world - something unimaginable not so long ago. Just like you can have a shitty phone/car or a good phone/car, there are different levels of comfort. And no goverment funded the billions of devices in use outside of some projects.

Try to be a bit less jaded.

The working poor sure as hell doesn't give a shit.

You speak for all of them? Cause for sure some do, some don't.

[Krakan]

There needs to be some financial incentive to really kick it off and a vacation trip isn't really enough.

[Edge-]

There needs to be some financial incentive to really kick it off and a vacation trip isn't really enough.

Mining comets and asteroids and other planets is a very real longterm goals. Discovering new science that can have practical applications during the process of getting into space and/or while in space.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benefi...ce_exploration

It's not just about sending millionaires into space for a few hours so they can say they're astronauts.

[Krakan]

Mining comets and asteroids and other planets is a very real longterm goals. Discovering new science that can have practical applications during the process of getting into space and/or while in space.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benefi...ce_exploration

It's not just about sending millionaires into space for a few hours so they can say they're astronauts.

I agree but there needs to be some fundamental gain. Those metals needs to have some special property to see a rapid expansion into the field.

[Edge-]

I agree but there needs to be some fundamental gain. Those metals needs to have some special property to see a rapid expansion into the field.

https://space.nss.org/asteroid-minin...space-economy/
https://www.sciencealert.com/how-ast...uture-in-space
https://bigthink.com/technology-inno...1#rebelltitem1
https://www.manufacturing.net/techno...metal-shortage

There's a considerable amount of research and analysis on the benefits of mining asteroids/comets etc, both to sustain further space-travel and to potentially bring plenty of extremely valuable materials, including rare earth metals, to the planet from rocks that are just floating out there.

[Shadowferal]

The race to find the first low life organism, some bacteria on mars?

............im thrilled..................................

Plenty of low lifes on the planet already.

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You speak for all of them? Cause for sure some do, some don't.

I can easily speak for those I do know.
Companies getting bailed out even as they layoff people...fuck 'em.

[Ticj]

The race to find the first low life organism, some bacteria on mars?

............im thrilled..................................

The discovery of an alien organism would be game changing in Astronomy, and Biology. An alien organism might or might not be extremely different from the chemistry that is life on Earth. It would be studied extensively and could lead to god knows what in medicine and the understanding of the origin of life on Earth.

For Astronomy, the discovery of life on mars, or any other body in the solar system means that life is MUCH more common throughout the universe than once thought, and could could lend credence to the theory of panspermia.

It is something to be excited for, and not brushed away like it means nothing for us.

[Easo]

I can easily speak for those I do know.
Companies getting bailed out even as they layoff people...fuck 'em.

Subjective experience is not an objective one.
So what, no space exploration because big bad companies? Tell me, are you one of those who scream that no money should be given for any "exotic" science until there are no "children dying from hunger", "underpaid teachers" and similar?

[Shadowferal]

If you're fantasizing Musk is doing this for the sake of the future and science then you're indulging in " heroification." This is about ego. Nothing more. True innovation helps all.

[Icelin]

Really? I thought the rise of popularity was due to the program "Ancient Aliens" that was loosely based off of Chariot of the Gods? (As the author has been on the program several times) Prometheus was a pretty good movie for that one too. Also Giorgio crazy hairstyle might've helped out bringing love for space back. (For some it never left tho..)

I seen this cute Khadgar pic and it was burned in my mind for all time. It seems like a fitting place to put this. It's not mine, but I totally snatched it up and sharing it. As I loved it when I first seen it.



As for Elon I got a soft spot for this man. This forum should already know this. I don't go into details of why tho.

Only for the ultra rich, if you wanted anything to actually benefit the masses you would need government funded space travel and youd have no need for billionares like Musk.

I know Elon Musk believes houses on Mars will go for half a million, if not less. To move to Mars. I thought that was pretty funny when I first seen it. As some houses here on this planet exceed that. I think it might be one of those random things he says.

[Logwyn]

The race to find the first low life organism, some bacteria on mars?

............im thrilled..................................

What if it produces the magic cure for aging and cancer? That would be thrilling!

[Phuongvi]

Not as long as it stays purely private, or do you think anybody but the ultra rich going to mars will actually not be explioted by them? Now with no government oversight.


Telephones and computers are something we can thank various government funded projects for, and airplanes, you mean the ones where your average flyer is packed into the plane like a sardine? How is that a good example?

Not a good exemple since anyone with an job can buy aclass 1 ticket. At a reasonable price
If chose to fly and be packed like a sardine, it's your fault.
Whats next ? Because you buy an ticket to fly in airplane you are now the owner of the company ?

[TommyJ]

The discovery of an alien organism would be game changing in Astronomy, and Biology. An alien organism might or might not be extremely different from the chemistry that is life on Earth. It would be studied extensively and could lead to god knows what in medicine and the understanding of the origin of life on Earth.

For Astronomy, the discovery of life on mars, or any other body in the solar system means that life is MUCH more common throughout the universe than once thought, and could could lend credence to the theory of panspermia.

It is something to be excited for, and not brushed away like it means nothing for us.

I would like to live until the time when mankind will be officially aware of the intelligent (!) form of life outside the Earth.
Because scientists already have evidence of the existence of bacteria. And this is widely known. Also, relatively recently, bacteria were found on the outside of the ISS. It is assumed that they are not from Earth. So they flew in from somewhere and were able to survive in space. It seems we are getting close)

[Vash The Stampede]

A space age would be unlikely after COVID19 for a while. Mostly due to the economy as it's done. So done you can put a fork in it. So if it's between putting food on the table for people and space then food it is.

[TommyJ]

A space age would be unlikely after COVID19 for a while. Mostly due to the economy as it's done. So done you can put a fork in it. So if it's between putting food on the table for people and space then food it is.

Yes, many people stopped earning enough during COVID. But this only applies to ordinary workers or small businesses.
On the contrary, large companies have grown their capital very well. In some cases, a record over the past 10-20 years. Some startups also had the opportunity to attract more attention and attract investments thanks to this. Since investments in other projects (cafes, restaurants, hotels, etc.) became less profitable, and investors were able to pay attention not to super-profitable projects, but to promising ones.