Topic: Awesome Nasa video

[ScaryTooth]

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/insidenova/2010/08/what-were-watching-nasas-accidental-video-art.html?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=fanpage&utm_campaign=pbs

A little camera mounted on a solid rocket boaster records it's ascent and descent. Beautiful video.


On a side note, if you get a chance write your congressman in support of the space program. It's important. They haven't been doing so hot these past 2 years or so.

[TheOtherBelmont]

Awesome video.  I feel you on the lack of support towards the space program as well.

[scottws]

Wow that was really cool.  At first I was waiting for the launch and was surprised when the booster separated.  It was cool how you hear the wind noise pick up during the descent.

[Xessive]

As much as I admire space exploration and the truly sublime imagery we get from it, I still think it's an auxiliary expenditure, a luxury. If the finances can support it, then why not? But if there's an economic crisis it makes sense to cut funding in favour of more crucial expenses.

If there was a fuel crisis I'd expect NASCAR to be on hiatus until the crisis is over. Granted, I am comparing genuine scientific research to an entertainment venue but sad as it is the most people still consider space exploration as a publicity stunt more than anything else.

[Cobra951]

Remember, though, that money spent on the space program is not really wasted.  The cost of the raw materials left out in space is miniscule compared to the amount of money paid to people, who then spend that money on down the line into the economy.  These people research, build, support, defend, and ride.  In the process, the state of the art advances, and we get things like pocket calculators in the 70s and PCs 10 years later, giving rise to whole new industries.

That is a very cool video.  Great idea, attaching a camera to a booster.

[Xessive]

Along with the space research discussion I thought this might interest some of you: New research indicates a manned mission to Mars poses serious health risks.

[Ghandi]

Great link. Vids like that still blow my mind.

As much as I admire space exploration and the truly sublime imagery we get from it, I still think it's an auxiliary expenditure, a luxury. If the finances can support it, then why not? But if there's an economic crisis it makes sense to cut funding in favour of more crucial expenses.

If there was a fuel crisis I'd expect NASCAR to be on hiatus until the crisis is over. Granted, I am comparing genuine scientific research to an entertainment venue but sad as it is the most people still consider space exploration as a publicity stunt more than anything else.

Cobra said it well, but I will take it a step further - why bother with scientific exploration at all? Take the money and spend it instead on more humanitarian approaches.

There are legitimate reasons to both approaches, and obviously a middle ground is the answer.

The sad reality is that the elimination of defense budgets would allow for huge advances in both fields.

[Pugnate]

Just watched it. Holy crap! Awesome.