Internet Stuuffs

Idea: What We Need In Space

So as a kid (and still) I think often about humans and our interactions with space. Unfortunately all of my thinking is worthless since we’ll never get to space once we run out of crude oil to get us there.

Here is a list of things I think space could use to help forward our ‘near Earth’ operations:

1. A Space junker - When I was 13 I drew out a spacecraft that could be built in orbit and/or on a moon base. It was built like a flower with massive ‘petals’ that opened in the front. The petals contained a special high impact gel that would cushion and engulf any debris it came in contact with. The petals we’re all removable so when the craft landed back on the moon or docked at a space station the petals could be disassembled and the contents removed, rinsed off and recycled.

Recently the US Military shot down a satellite containing small amounts of a toxic chemical. My father sent me an email warning of the dangers of the shoot down and the cost to the American taxpayer. A ship that cleaned up junk in space and recycled the material, to me, sounds like a great idea and a much better ‘waste’ of our money.
update: news on ways to get rid of space debris

2. A Hotel - Of course I would put this on the list. Who hasn’t watched 2001: A Space Odyssey and wanted to spend a night in space? Of course after watching Event Horizon I think one night would be enough for me.

3. Recycling - In conjunction with my first idea, having an efficient way to recycle materials used in spacecraft and satellite construction would drive down the cost of building and increase the number produced.

4. Better Entrance and Re-Entry - We waste thousands of tons of petroleum fuel to get craft into space, and the re-entry is a pain in the ass and can be deadly. If you have ever watched any space sci-fi movie most of them just show craft lifting right into space and falling right back down without any problems. Finding a way to waste less fuel to get into (the current goal of many Xprize participants) and come back from space would great increase the number of people willing to go, and the number of companies willing to risk sending humans to and from Space.

The current fleet of Space Shuttles are set to be decommissioned and a replacement has not yet been finished. NASA had been working on a craft known as the ‘VentureStar‘ but scrapped the project years ago.

5. A Space Race - Everyone loves a good race. Get the major ‘Space Powers’ like NASA, ESA, Brazil, Japan and Russia (possibly commie china) to launch craft into space and ‘race’ around the moon and back to Earth once every other year. First to land wins tons of world cred for their technology and who knows maybe some cash. The best part is that it would get people all over the USA and the world excited about space because they could follow the race on TV and the internet, interact with the pilots and crew, and track the progress with interactive maps.