Zyobot
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Post by Zyobot on Mar 4, 2019 18:52:00 GMT
In recent times, there's been a certain level of media fervor surrounding human expansion beyond this blue-green world of ours, as well as predictions for where these efforts could go next. Asteroid mining and privately-managed exploration are some of the most oft-discussed possibilities on the list. But what are some likely/unlikely prospects for the establishment and facilitation of an official space force(s)?
Thank you in advance,
Zyobot
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Mar 4, 2019 19:26:31 GMT
In recent times, there's been a certain level of media fervor surrounding human expansion beyond this blue-green world of ours, as well as predictions for where these efforts could go next. Asteroid mining and privately-managed exploration are some of the most oft-discussed possibilities on the list. But what are some likely/unlikely prospects for the establishment and facilitation of an official space force(s)? Thank you in advance, Zyobot |
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Zyobot
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Post by Zyobot on Mar 4, 2019 19:55:06 GMT
In recent times, there's been a certain level of media fervor surrounding human expansion beyond this blue-green world of ours, as well as predictions for where these efforts could go next. Asteroid mining and privately-managed exploration are some of the most oft-discussed possibilities on the list. But what are some likely/unlikely prospects for the establishment and facilitation of an official space force(s)? Thank you in advance, Zyobot Heh, figures. Israel seems to be stepping onto the playing field, too. Granted, it's a privately funded venture and not necessarily the beginnings of an official national space force, but this could lead to something greater in terms of its future space exploration. |
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Mar 4, 2019 20:02:50 GMT
It does have the rockets to launch stuff into space like the Shavit even if it is a small lift launch vehicle. Seems the French also have a Joint Space Command. |
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Post by Middlesex_Toffeeman on Mar 5, 2019 20:10:07 GMT
Five nuclear powers have space forces - come on, Theresa, and plant a Union Jack on the Moon!
Joking aside, I feel Antarctica will be colonised before space, for the reason that there is an atmosphere down in Antarctica - the same cannot be said of Mars or our Moon. Besides, space forces can only really do nothing apart from look good.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Mar 5, 2019 20:12:11 GMT
Five nuclear powers have space forces - come on, Theresa, and plant a Union Jack on the Moon! c===================== | \::  |::://| |\ \: |::// | |\\ \ |:// /| |:\\ \| |// / |::\\_| |/_/: | | |_____. ._____| |::/ /| | \\: |:/ //| |\ \\ |/ // |:\ \\| | //: |::\ \| |//:::|__|:::\_|Ash Joking aside, I feel Antarctica will be colonised before space, for the reason that there is an atmosphere down in Antarctica - the same cannot be said of Mars or our Moon. Besides, space forces can only really do nothing apart from look good. Think it will be a fight between the RAF and Royal Navy on who a royal Space Force will belong to if it is not a indepent service. |
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Post by Middlesex_Toffeeman on Mar 5, 2019 20:19:05 GMT
Five nuclear powers have space forces - come on, Theresa, and plant a Union Jack on the Moon! c===================== | \:: |::://| |\ \: |::// | |\\ \ |:// /| |:\\ \| |// / |::\\_| |/_/: | | |_____. ._____| |::/ /| | \\: |:/ //| |\ \\ |/ // |:\ \\| | //: |::\ \| |//:::|__|:::\_|Ash Joking aside, I feel Antarctica will be colonised before space, for the reason that there is an atmosphere down in Antarctica - the same cannot be said of Mars or our Moon. Besides, space forces can only really do nothing apart from look good. Think it will be a fight between the RAF and Royal Navy on who a royal Space Force will belong to if it is not a indepent service. RAF most likely. |
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Mar 5, 2019 20:20:50 GMT
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Zyobot
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Post by Zyobot on Mar 6, 2019 2:45:35 GMT
Five nuclear powers have space forces - come on, Theresa, and plant a Union Jack on the Moon! Joking aside, I feel Antarctica will be colonised before space, for the reason that there is an atmosphere down in Antarctica - the same cannot be said of Mars or our Moon. Besides, space forces can only really do nothing apart from look good. Yeah, I've been wondering what, exactly, a Space Force would be good for other than a whole lot of flashy prestige points--at least, in the short run. Although, it might get a considerably larger budget than NASA currently receives, and would thus be able to invest in more projects and expansion accordingly. I'm no professional in the field, of course, but something tells me that--national showboating aside--this sort of endeavor would mainly benefit our descendants down the line, rather than society today or in the near future. |
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Mar 6, 2019 4:09:42 GMT
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Mar 6, 2019 9:31:09 GMT
Five nuclear powers have space forces - come on, Theresa, and plant a Union Jack on the Moon! Joking aside, I feel Antarctica will be colonised before space, for the reason that there is an atmosphere down in Antarctica - the same cannot be said of Mars or our Moon. Besides, space forces can only really do nothing apart from look good. Yeah, I've been wondering what, exactly, a Space Force would be good for other than a whole lot of flashy prestige points--at least, in the short run. Although, it might get a considerably larger budget than NASA currently receives, and would thus be able to invest in more projects and expansion accordingly. I'm no professional in the field, of course, but something tells me that--national showboating aside--this sort of endeavor would mainly benefit our descendants down the line, rather than society today or in the near future.
I think there are potentials for significant economical and technological development in the medium term, say 20-30 years if we [on Earth generally] get our act together. Its going to be a longer time before there's a sizeable population off Earth and the idea of many people regularly commuting between Earth and outer space is not going to happen for a long time at all. However some things like power generation and ability to produce some very high value items in space in vacuum/zero gravity etc have been known as potentials for a long time and there have been plans for such since at least the late 70's. It does however need coordinated planning and commitment by the governments involved to not get distracted by side-shows. Also once we have manufacturing & mining capacity off Earth the exploration of the rest of the solar system would be much easier.
In terms of Antarctica it has the advantage of international treaties preventing its commercial development. Also an atmosphere isn't a great help when its that cold and sometimes very windy along with the ice cap, which hopefully will be around for a long time. As such I suspect it will remain largely undeveloped for a while yet.
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spanishspy
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Post by spanishspy on Mar 8, 2019 8:03:14 GMT
I think the nexus of a space force would be more sophisticated anti-satellite weaponry, and weaponry to counter that weaponry, so on and so forth.
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Mar 8, 2019 9:53:36 GMT
I think the nexus of a space force would be more sophisticated anti-satellite weaponry, and weaponry to counter that weaponry, so on and so forth.
The danger with that is it could be highly distablising. Such weapons could also take out ballistic missiles, which are the most secure delivery forces at the moment so if one nation stated developing such a system, with it looking like they might succeed others would feel very vulnerable. Possibly with very destructive results. However I think it will happen, possibly fairly soon, if we get that far.
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