Comments on: Science Friday: Electric Supercars, Bionic Limbs, Super Solar Cells + NASAs New Moon Rover

By: Spockish

Spockish — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:26:21 +0000

#22) I to was worried by O’bama and his cutting NASA’s money, then later hearing the funding increase, you just have to realize that today’s politicians come with forked tongues. They only say what they think you want to hear all in quest of the magic ratings score. My brother works at the Lockheed Martin plant in Denver. He started back when it was Martian Marietta. And I like the Nano Solar stuff, it shows new tech at work. But our real solution is Fusion and the Moon has all that Helium 3 on it’s surface. And that stuff is like placing Nitro in you fuel for Fusion. If brought back from the Moon the Laser Fusion and Magnetic Fusion reactors could become almost everywhere and anywhere power sources. And as we get use to making Fusion power it will become easier to create. The only other big energy tank to tap is Zero Point energy and it is still a theory and could become a Cold Fusion like topic.

Then there is Anti Mater but for now lets leave that subject for the Trek Universe. Anyways they use it as fuel not as a power source but it does make power to Warp space and allow faster than light travel, but only by expanding and contracting the dimensions aspect of space. Right now only Gravity can do that. But if Steven Hawkings creates his Understanding of Every thing concept gravity may be understood.

If these things happen then Roddenberry dreams can come true. This may only become so if we increase our IQ and Science develops beyond Books and Films. This can only happen if the Politicians let us get past the 2+2=5 feel good point. So to get us progressing we need to make Political people live in the real world not in their Hollyweed rating points world. (I use weed instead of the correct wood because it is drugs that makes many on that planet happy, and entertains us the public)

NOTE: this was not aimed left or right but at all Political people, if you think it was aimed in a direction it is only because your side either won or lost.

By: Commodore Z

Commodore Z — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:52:12 +0000

During the campaign, Obama said he wanted to cut NASA’s budget to pay for his education plan. But just prior to the election, he reversed himself and said he’d increase NASA’s budget by $2 billion. This would reduce the gap after the retirement of the Space Shuttle until the new Orion spacecraft and Ares boosters are available. It also will presumably make America’s return to the moon that much sooner.

It’s interesting (and encouraging) that John McCain also promised to increase NASA’s budget along pretty much the same lines.

By: JP Saylor

JP Saylor — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:37:21 +0000

Hmm I heard somewhere that the President was going to cut funds from NASA. That means we wont be seeing the Enterprise for quite some time. I hope I’m wrong though.

By: Grand Lunar

Grand Lunar — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 12:57:41 +0000

I say combine the electric car with the super solar cells.
Then, you’d constently recharge while driving during the day.

@Lucas,

When we went to the moon from 1969-72, we only stayed a few days at most. That’s a long cry from what we’ll need to do for Mars.
Lessons learned from going back to the moon will better prepare us.

By: McCoy's Gall Bladder

McCoy's Gall Bladder — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:30:11 +0000

Point of order!

Arthur C Clarke correctly reasoned that we’d need lots of cheap diamonds to build a space elevator, so he blew up Jupiter in “2063″ and rained down diamonds onto Europa where humans went to get them.

real scientists think we can build it with buckyballs, but that grayhaired old guy on the History Channel ( I cant remember anything, you know that ) says they’re too dangerous because they can come loose and destroy everything on the ground.

You’ll have to settle for the one in the Voyager episode.

Space planes are easier and more realistic

By: Imrahil

Imrahil — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:08:57 +0000

He probably does it just like the Terminator; slice around the edge and then pull the skin off, leaving the shiny CSM-101 endoskeleton dripping blood.

By: Captain Dunsel

Captain Dunsel — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:57:20 +0000

14 “Holy cow, that sounds gruesome and painful!”

It certainly would be gruesome, and undoubtedly painful, but probably no more painful than a direct trauma to the upper forearm. Remember that, once the flesh is separated from the rest of the arm, there’s nothing more being transmitted up the arm about what’s happening at the outer end. (Unless there are pain nerves inside the bone – I’m not informed enough on that point to be certain.)

By: Bren

Bren — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:51:11 +0000

” 14. bmar – January 23, 2009

sorry…was i the only one who cringed at the term “de-gloving” when Evan Reynolds described how he lost his arm???!!!! Holy cow, that sounds gruesome and painful!
…”

Quoted for truth, megacringe just thinking about it.

That said, the iLIMB kicks ass. *Rips off own arm*

By: The TOS Purist aka The Purolator

The TOS Purist aka The Purolator — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:08:36 +0000

I think that working on regenerating limbs would be much cooler than bionic technology. :)

By: bmar

bmar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:10:20 +0000

sorry…was i the only one who cringed at the term “de-gloving” when Evan Reynolds described how he lost his arm???!!!! Holy cow, that sounds gruesome and painful!