Post by thomas cat on Aug 19, 2022 18:53:07 GMT -7
It's scheduled for launch in about a week. What makes this interesting is not just the size, it will send a crew capsule (unmanned) to orbit the moon. If all goes well, they will soon send a manned capsule to orbit the moon. If that goes well, they will send people to land on the moon.
It's been 50 years since we have done that....it's about time. By the way, China is not only building a space station, but they too are planning on a manned moon mission as well. It's the space race all over again. Some may think this is not important, but if you want to be a world leader then you got to lead.
Back to the Artemis. Here is a size comparison of some of the most powerful American rockets...
We all know about the space shuttle. The Falcon Heavy, also known as the "BFR" lol. A year or two ago Elon Musk launched his Telsa into an orbit around the sun using his BFR...
Rich people can do anything....lol
The Artimus ( SLS Block 1 ) is slightly shorter than the Saturn V, but with its two solid rocket boosters along with updated rocket engines makes it more efficient than the Saturn V even if it's not quite as powerful.
The Starship and while it's still in the testing stage, will make heavy lifts much cheaper due to its reusability.
A lot of people think we will go to Mars in a decade or two. I have my doubts. I think we will eventually get there but there are so many things to overcome.
Maybe first and foremost is the cost. We are talking about many billions of dollars. I would love to do it as much as anyone, but I'm not sure it's worth it. We can do a lot with just robotic space craft.
Some of the other problems are keeping a crew alive and mentally healthy for maybe two years or more in cramped quarters.
Then you have radiation concerns. Unlike the space station that has some protection from radiation because they are more or less within Earth's magnetic field. Between planets, there is no protection.
You also have to deal with months without gravity and then do whatever it is they are going to do once they land on Mars. Mars's gravity is less than Earths, but it will still be a struggle just to stand or walk after months of no gravity.
Man has proved he can overcome many things, and I have faith we can overcome these things too. I just think it's going to take longer than we think to work it all out.
It's been 50 years since we have done that....it's about time. By the way, China is not only building a space station, but they too are planning on a manned moon mission as well. It's the space race all over again. Some may think this is not important, but if you want to be a world leader then you got to lead.
Back to the Artemis. Here is a size comparison of some of the most powerful American rockets...
We all know about the space shuttle. The Falcon Heavy, also known as the "BFR" lol. A year or two ago Elon Musk launched his Telsa into an orbit around the sun using his BFR...
Rich people can do anything....lol
The Artimus ( SLS Block 1 ) is slightly shorter than the Saturn V, but with its two solid rocket boosters along with updated rocket engines makes it more efficient than the Saturn V even if it's not quite as powerful.
The Starship and while it's still in the testing stage, will make heavy lifts much cheaper due to its reusability.
A lot of people think we will go to Mars in a decade or two. I have my doubts. I think we will eventually get there but there are so many things to overcome.
Maybe first and foremost is the cost. We are talking about many billions of dollars. I would love to do it as much as anyone, but I'm not sure it's worth it. We can do a lot with just robotic space craft.
Some of the other problems are keeping a crew alive and mentally healthy for maybe two years or more in cramped quarters.
Then you have radiation concerns. Unlike the space station that has some protection from radiation because they are more or less within Earth's magnetic field. Between planets, there is no protection.
You also have to deal with months without gravity and then do whatever it is they are going to do once they land on Mars. Mars's gravity is less than Earths, but it will still be a struggle just to stand or walk after months of no gravity.
Man has proved he can overcome many things, and I have faith we can overcome these things too. I just think it's going to take longer than we think to work it all out.