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I must be impatient due to everything moving at internet speeds. The idea that this probe won't arrive until 2030, then it might identify a landing spot for an
by mmcconnell1618 5y ago
I must be impatient due to everything moving at internet speeds. The idea that this probe won't arrive until 2030, then it might identify a landing spot for an actual lander that will need to be budgeted, built, launched and travel to Europa for another decade is a little disappointing.
I understand there are huge technical challenges, vast distances but sometimes it feels like things are moving very slowly. On the other hand I watch SpaceX cycle through revisions on a crazy fast timeline and I have hope that we will have some breakthroughs in spacefaring technology sooner than expected.
- jostmey 5y agoI would be happy working on a grand project exploring a distance moon, contributing to humanities future knowledge, and building that future, even if it takes decades. I think it would be a life well-spent But if the probe blew up that would really suck
- notjustanymike 5y agoDouglas Adams really sums it up: "Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."
- gameshot911 5y agoThat quote has more to do with the physical size of space, whereas OP is primarily referring to the speed of space program development.
- ceejayoz 5y agoThe issues the poster cites, like "this probe won't arrive until 2030", are in part due to the physical size of space.
- bpodgursky 5y agoEhh... it's due to the technical challenge of getting enough fuel into space to get to Jupiter quickly without a bunch of gravity assists. Never going to be a weekend hop, but there are definitely technical advances that make it a 3 month trip rather than a 3 year trip.
- Cederfjard 5y agoThe former is relevant to the point when the trip itself will take half a decade.