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January 18, 2006
Uh Oh: Atomic Energy
Two days ago NASA had planned to launch New Horizons. The probe is supposed to go all the way to the Kuiper Belt (Pluto)...it's going to take sometime though. On NASA's website it gives this little fact:
"At the earliest, current 1st graders will see New Horizons arrive at Pluto during the summer before 12th grade!"
Exciting right! Wait...not really. What are we really going to get out of this that we can't with high powered telescopes? Oh yeah, not that much. What pluto looks like on the surface? Great! Now we know. But, what if we spent those billions on real issues like AIDS research, or helping hunger? I personally don't understand the space program. Really, we haven't learned that much by going to space. Most of things taught now were learned by people hundreds of years ago and they used pretty crappy telescopes and mathematics.
While listening to NPR this morning they were talking about it and how it's been postponed because it's too windy. They also mentioned that it's powered with Atomic Energy and if something goes wrong it could send atomic particles as far as Orlando. Uh...why are we messing with that. Have we seen our success record? There have been some misteps and I don't think we should risk destroying parts of Disneyworld.
Why?
Posted by cory at January 18, 2006 11:58 AM
Comments
I whole-heartedly agree with you on this Cory. I'm probably speaking out of line as a non-scientist, but I too feel like the money could be better spent. Someone please tell us why NASA and this mission specifically is important. I feel as if we need to concentrate on fixing our mistakes on earth before we figure out what is on Pluto. skeptical.
Posted by: ryan at January 18, 2006 12:23 PM
we need a reverse NASA. a government organization with as much funding studying aquatic life!
Posted by: george at January 18, 2006 12:27 PM