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And miss the chance to put our flag first on Mars? I think not.
by njloof 11y ago
And miss the chance to put our flag first on Mars? I think not.
- netcan 11y agoI dunno… I think space exploration is a great chance for human solidarity. Funding, control, bureaucracy and such can still be challenging, but I think the scientists and engineers themselves would generally be on board. The public also, I think/hope. Planting an earth flag instead of a national one kinda makes simple sense that I think will appeal to people. You land in a new land, you claim it for your land. Land on a new planet, claim it for your planet.
- logingone 11y agoDid you see all the little american flags come out when New Horizons reached Pluto. I found that a little disappointing. As deliberate as unnecessary. Almost looked tit-for-tat following the EU cheer at Rosetta.
- netcan 11y agoNo, but I'm not american so the media doesn't play that angle so much here. But, I'm not looking to berate anyone for flags. Nationalism/group thinking is part of how we work. If American flags are being used to explore the universe and take steps for mankind, I'm not mad at them. I also don't think americans are the worst at this, for all the flak they get. On the other hand, I'm totally behind anyone who wants to internationalize it. Like I said, I'm pretty optimistic that if it starts people will dig it. I would be proud to see an earth flag flying on new worlds, especially if they have wind. I think other people would be too. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bA-pR_9s6Ng/VVeBWoDKeHI/AAAAAAAAAcc/wv7sIdbwW80/s1600/United%2BTerra%2BFlag%2BHoisted.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bA-pR_9s6Ng/VVeBWoDKeHI/AAAAAAAAAc...
- Trombone12 11y agoyeah, from their comment I get the impression that the authors kind of hope for a space race with China, rather than being forced into doing a boring, tedious, joint program.