The world is on the verge of new manned exploration of the solar system - and, this time, environmentalists are backing itThis weekend, 40 years after man first landed on the Moon, more human beings than ever before are orbiting on a single spacecraft. In 1969, three men squeezed into Apollo 11's command module, a craft little bigger than a Mini. Yesterday, the International Space Station, now as large as a four-storey house, yet speeding at 17,239mph, took on board the crew of the shuttle Endeavour: 12 men, one woman - seven Americans, two Russians, two Canadians, one Japanese and a Belgian. During a two-man space-walk, the crew added a four-ton porch - an outdoor shelf for experiments - to the station. It is yet another small step in space exploration. But next month, a far bigger one could be taken. A panel of specialists will advise President Barack Obama on whether the US should embark on an ambitious 21st-century space programme that could see Americans return to the Moon, and eventually venture further to near-Earth asteroids and Mars. It is an issue that rouses not just space enthusiasts but those who think the world should have other, greener priorities. Related articles
This weekend, 40 years after man first landed on the Moon, more human beings than ever before are orbiting on a single spacecraft. In 1969, three men squeezed into Apollo 11's command module, a craft little bigger than a Mini.
Yesterday, the International Space Station, now as large as a four-storey house, yet speeding at 17,239mph, took on board the crew of the shuttle Endeavour: 12 men, one woman - seven Americans, two Russians, two Canadians, one Japanese and a Belgian. During a two-man space-walk, the crew added a four-ton porch - an outdoor shelf for experiments - to the station.
It is yet another small step in space exploration. But next month, a far bigger one could be taken. A panel of specialists will advise President Barack Obama on whether the US should embark on an ambitious 21st-century space programme that could see Americans return to the Moon, and eventually venture further to near-Earth asteroids and Mars. It is an issue that rouses not just space enthusiasts but those who think the world should have other, greener priorities. Related articles
Europe is seeing more success in the field of space flight than ever before. As Americans on Monday mark the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, Europeans are gearing up for their own moon walk. Forty years after man first walked on the moon, European astronauts have that great, glowing sphere in the sky back in sight. With several successes under its belt, Europe's dream of its own expedition to the moon is looking more realistic than ever. Europe's most ambitious spacecraft to date is the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which can deliver up to ten tons of material to the International Space Station. But the ATV can only carry material into space - and not the other way around, from space to Earth. Evert Dudok, the president of EADS Astrium, a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, says that transporting material to Earth could be made possible. He says that the current ATV, which is relatively cylindrical, would be replaced with a capsule structure, which would then return to Earth, just like with the Apollo missions.
Forty years after man first walked on the moon, European astronauts have that great, glowing sphere in the sky back in sight. With several successes under its belt, Europe's dream of its own expedition to the moon is looking more realistic than ever.
Europe's most ambitious spacecraft to date is the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which can deliver up to ten tons of material to the International Space Station. But the ATV can only carry material into space - and not the other way around, from space to Earth.
Evert Dudok, the president of EADS Astrium, a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, says that transporting material to Earth could be made possible. He says that the current ATV, which is relatively cylindrical, would be replaced with a capsule structure, which would then return to Earth, just like with the Apollo missions.
The US and Russia spend billions on their space programs, and China and India are following suit. Only Europe is in danger of being left behind. In a guest op-ed piece for SPIEGEL ONLINE, EADS CEO Louis Gallois argues that, 40 years after humanity first set foot on the moon, Europeans need a new vision. Forty years ago, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. With that "small step," a grand vision bore fruit. Only eight years earlier, US President John F. Kennedy had declared before the US Congress that "it will not be one man going to the moon -- it will be an entire nation. For all of us must work to put him there."
The US and Russia spend billions on their space programs, and China and India are following suit. Only Europe is in danger of being left behind. In a guest op-ed piece for SPIEGEL ONLINE, EADS CEO Louis Gallois argues that, 40 years after humanity first set foot on the moon, Europeans need a new vision.
Forty years ago, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. With that "small step," a grand vision bore fruit. Only eight years earlier, US President John F. Kennedy had declared before the US Congress that "it will not be one man going to the moon -- it will be an entire nation. For all of us must work to put him there."
And Mars! One does not have to look far at all to discover that it is, using any known technology, impossible to get humans to Mars and back in one piece. Bone degeneration being one of the more serious problems. Mental degeneration being not allowed for discussion. The risk equation not working out another problem.
Robots.
And again, robots are great for scientific exploration, but don't put people on Mars, and if your goal is to put people on Mars, then sending robots there will only help so much.
An argument for a one-way mission, I suppose.
