Well it is government run after all? I like the concept of NASA, but it?s too bad they seem so mismanaged at times. Perhaps a nonprofit space exploration company could replace NASA. I?d donate.
Your puny brains cannot possibly imagine how wrong you are.10 years is a short amount of time to contruct such a hugely complex station, nevermind that it's IN SPACE. Every piece needs to come up on a space shuttle (obviously) which is why the ISS is "only" the size of a football field with "only" an olympic sized swimming pool worth of human habitable space! That's gigantic compared to anything in space so far.As for the crew size, in May, it will finally double from 3 to 6 strong, since just this month they attatched the last solar panal array which is deticated to science experiments. Also they got the waist water and urin recycler (ew!) up and running to supply the more fully staffed station with water. As for it's usefullness, you don't seem to understand what it is all about. The station was built for two reasons:1) To do experiments that can't be done anywhere else. Earlier this year (or maybe last year) the main science module was added which is loaded with experiment racks with all kinds of utilities, both inside and outside exposed to space, that can be used for anything. NASA has a web page listing all the experiments going on, and yes it isn't being used to the fullest yet but once there are 6 people up there they deffinetly will be, and astronaught scientists will be doing experiments 24 hours a day 7 days a week like they're supposed to be. They could only do so much until the last solar panels were installed.2) To learn how to build, maintain, and crew an outpost in space with long term occupants. It is better to have the prototype in orbit right here around Earth rather than have the first one be on Mars or the moon so we can be right there if something happens. Plus, it's a 1000 times cheaper to not have to land on another planet/moon. Once we have a concrete example of a working station (the ISS), then we can better plan for the more ambitious projects ahead. Sure the Russians had there tini Mir station, but that was so small it was more like a space shuttle that never landed than an actual station. There are some things that only first hand experience can teach. Earth now has experience living in, building complex establishments in, cooperating internationally in, and experimenting IN SPACE. All in one gigantic global project. I love it.
wlk125Mar 30, 2009
Anyone else though "Imperial fighter!" on the 2nd photo?
euphorianMar 30, 2009
I kind of wanted to see someone waving out a tiny window.
timthetaxmanMar 30, 2009
Well it is government run after all? I like the concept of NASA, but it?s too bad they seem so mismanaged at times. Perhaps a nonprofit space exploration company could replace NASA. I?d donate.
chill613Mar 30, 2009
I want a live streaming feed of a camera on the ISS!
mcvadorMar 30, 2009
Your puny brains cannot possibly imagine how wrong you are.10 years is a short amount of time to contruct such a hugely complex station, nevermind that it's IN SPACE. Every piece needs to come up on a space shuttle (obviously) which is why the ISS is "only" the size of a football field with "only" an olympic sized swimming pool worth of human habitable space! That's gigantic compared to anything in space so far.As for the crew size, in May, it will finally double from 3 to 6 strong, since just this month they attatched the last solar panal array which is deticated to science experiments. Also they got the waist water and urin recycler (ew!) up and running to supply the more fully staffed station with water. As for it's usefullness, you don't seem to understand what it is all about. The station was built for two reasons:1) To do experiments that can't be done anywhere else. Earlier this year (or maybe last year) the main science module was added which is loaded with experiment racks with all kinds of utilities, both inside and outside exposed to space, that can be used for anything. NASA has a web page listing all the experiments going on, and yes it isn't being used to the fullest yet but once there are 6 people up there they deffinetly will be, and astronaught scientists will be doing experiments 24 hours a day 7 days a week like they're supposed to be. They could only do so much until the last solar panels were installed.2) To learn how to build, maintain, and crew an outpost in space with long term occupants. It is better to have the prototype in orbit right here around Earth rather than have the first one be on Mars or the moon so we can be right there if something happens. Plus, it's a 1000 times cheaper to not have to land on another planet/moon. Once we have a concrete example of a working station (the ISS), then we can better plan for the more ambitious projects ahead. Sure the Russians had there tini Mir station, but that was so small it was more like a space shuttle that never landed than an actual station. There are some things that only first hand experience can teach. Earth now has experience living in, building complex establishments in, cooperating internationally in, and experimenting IN SPACE. All in one gigantic global project. I love it.
majormajor42Mar 30, 2009
Picture is upside down
groundissoundMar 30, 2009
not to be confused with the horrible 90s scifi show EARTH 2
theudericMar 31, 2009
Yeah, I noticed it. You can build a gazillion dollar space station but you can't teach people to snap a picture without f-ing it up.