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This assumes that the only way to benefit from space travel is to physically go there yourself. Communications and navigational infrastructure adds considerable

This assumes that the only way to benefit from space travel is to physically go there yourself. Communications and navigational infrastructure adds considerable quality of life to everyone.

spodek 7y ago
If you want to add all the benefits, a fair consideration requires looking at all the costs, which you neglected. Pollution is but one. I don't know enough to say where the cost-benefit analysis ends up, but I'm inclined to believe some rockets overall benefit humanity, like launching satellites to help solve our environmental challenges, but many don't, like space tourism.
- wolfram74 7y ago
  What fraction of launches do you think are space tourism? There was less than 1 tourist a year in the aughts, but it's all research staff these days. post curiosity edit: Heck, your own thesis hinged on observations that necessarily had to be done in space.
  - spodek 7y ago
    I don't have a fixed view on rockets. I helped build an x-ray observational satellite in orbit, but I don't agree with a view common on HN that space travel an unqualified good or necessary today.
Merrill 7y ago
The early communications satellites were launched with Thor-Delta and Delta rockets. In general, communications satellites reached low earth orbit before manned spacecraft, and satellites where put into geosynchronous orbit before manned spacecraft passed that altitude on the way to the moon. Manned spacecraft have never operated in geosynchronous orbit, since it is beyond the Van Allen belts and exposed to cosmic radiation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_(rocket_family) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_(rocket_family) I fully support the continued development and operation of all kinds of satellites for communications, earth monitoring, astronomy, etc., as well as the development and operation of spacecraft for lunar and planetary exploration. However, people are not suited for space travel since they are fragile and weigh too much, especially when all the life support overhead is factored in.

This assumes that the only way to benefit from space travel is to physically go there yourself. Communications and navigational infrastructure adds considerable quality of life to everyone.

spodek 7y ago

If you want to add all the benefits, a fair consideration requires looking at all the costs, which you neglected. Pollution is but one. I don't know enough to say where the cost-benefit analysis ends up, but I'm inclined to believe some rockets overall benefit humanity, like launching satellites to help solve our environmental challenges, but many don't, like space tourism.

wolfram74 7y ago
What fraction of launches do you think are space tourism? There was less than 1 tourist a year in the aughts, but it's all research staff these days. post curiosity edit: Heck, your own thesis hinged on observations that necessarily had to be done in space.
- spodek 7y ago
  I don't have a fixed view on rockets. I helped build an x-ray observational satellite in orbit, but I don't agree with a view common on HN that space travel an unqualified good or necessary today.

Merrill 7y ago

The early communications satellites were launched with Thor-Delta and Delta rockets. In general, communications satellites reached low earth orbit before manned spacecraft, and satellites where put into geosynchronous orbit before manned spacecraft passed that altitude on the way to the moon. Manned spacecraft have never operated in geosynchronous orbit, since it is beyond the Van Allen belts and exposed to cosmic radiation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_(rocket_family) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_(rocket_family) I fully support the continued development and operation of all kinds of satellites for communications, earth monitoring, astronomy, etc., as well as the development and operation of spacecraft for lunar and planetary exploration. However, people are not suited for space travel since they are fragile and weigh too much, especially when all the life support overhead is factored in.