The Infinite World

SpaceX which already surpasses its previous best of 21 launches in a year in 2018, completed its 25th launch of 2020 on 11 Dec. The SXM7 mission launch a 7 ton broadcasting satellite for SiriusXM, from Florida. Another launch is scheduled for 17 Dec 2020, a NROL launch.

SpaceX starship prototype SN8 successfully launched on 9 Dec 2020 about 5 am Singapore time. The 3 Raptor’s engine ignited and lifted off from the ground and went up all the way until about 4 min plus of the flight and shut the engines and tipped over using small thruster along the middle of its belly, till horizontal and glided beautifully down to the surface again. Just before reaching the ground, the engines reignited again and flipped back up to vertical position for the landing. It did land but could not control the landing and sort of exploded, it did not explode and burn for a long time, as the smoke screen cleared only after about 45 seconds. It was a beautiful flight and is considered a successful flight of 6min42 sec. Congratulations to SpaceX...!!!! Way to go. Looking forward to the next test SN9!

Human should really start exploring beyond their comfort zone, the orbit around earth. A good start would be going to the moon and back regularly, it would solve many of the technical space technoloy needed for further space travel. If human do not make this move soon, they will always be stuck with primitive space travel technology. If they cannot solve short space travel issue, they can forget about getting to mars and back. It is naive to think that they can actually leapfrog the technology needed in space travel. There is saying that says "learn to walk properly, before you attempt to run" ! Everyone know that space is a harsh environment, human are weak phyiscally and need all the basic elements to survive. So there are so many things they need to get right before further exploration can proceed. Get the basic reliable launch technology right for regular launch, at least launch within hours of a initial mission. Get the basic space craft to survive for 30 days, ...

I believe the furthest any human had ever been is the moon during the Apollo programme. Human need to venture further than that. Mars is little too far away with our current technical abilities. There is a need to build the technical expertise require for space travel, the current launch propulsion system is too energy consuming and waste a great deal of energy. The system is too unreliable, unstable and too primitive. The resources is there but wasted on other unworthy purpose. Stop killing each other and you will find the time and resources to venture into space. Human need to build something much bigger than the space shuttle. But how to build the spacecraft in space ? Propulsion is always a problem for spacecraft getting off the surface of earth, currently there is no spacecraft that can take off and go into orbit without booster rocket.

If you have ever witnessed the launch of a space bound rockets live or on any media, its spectacular with the associated sight and sound. But, is this the only way to leave the planet? It's a fuel guzzling exercise, this is why the rocket is so big, maybe 80 percent is meant for the propellant alone. It's such a waste of space and resources for the space mission. There has to be a better way of getting off the planet! How many people can travel in such transportation mode to space ? The most people getting off from the surface of earth on any mission is six on one of the space shuttle missions.

SpaceX continue with its record setting and made history with its 8th successful launch of 2016.  And the first stage also made a landing on its mobile robot ship in the Atlantic Ocean! This is a good thing that will spur the growth of the space exploration program throughout the world.

I think the only way for human to get better at Space exploration is to practise more. We need to get our launch technology right and reliable and build space craft that have some endurance and track them accordingly. We need to launch more space craft and practise docking with each other, with more common standard and make them more manoeuvrable. Travelling to the moon should be a everyday affair and of course the moon base should be built as soon as possible. Like someone who said before, we need to get as many people into space and stay indefinite period of time, in order for human to survive as a technologically advanced race. First, I think we need to learn to behave like a logical adult and more co-operation effort to get our space exploration going. Less war and more money will be available for such explorations. Be less self centred and greedy as well, but this will require a great deal of discipline from the typical human beings.  

I am wondering has any country tried construction activities like building a spacecraft in space before ? The ISS is more like Lego rather than real construction. Human will need to master such feats before we can venture further into space. Building a huge spaceship and lunching it from earth will be a huge task with our current level of technology. We need to start learning how to build more complicated stuff in space and maybe produce material in space as well. Our current spaceship is like child play when compared to those in science friction movies. We have a lot of work to do before we even reach the level whereby we can travel to the moon and back regularly. If we can get to the moon regularly, then perhaps we can build a moon base and use it as a staging station for further exploration and also to test the robustness of our spaceships. This will need a combined efforts from the various nations to get some significance progress in a short time. 

New Horizons, a Nasa space probe launched 19 Jan 2006, will be flying by Pluto on 14 July 2015. The main purpose of the mission is to study Pluto, Charon and the Kuiper Belt, plus some other minor missions. Hope Scientists learn more once new data and images are obtained from the probe.

There was another rocket launch failure just hours ago in the United States, it was supposed to be a resupply mission to the ISS and also carrying some experiments aboard. After 57 odd years of launching space missions, human still, cannot get the technical issues and technology right ! Unless, these so called experts can get the basic right, we can forget about travelling further from the earths' neighbourhood !

The movie is nice, and it reflects on human weaknesses. Human are very much emotional creature and are selfish, they usually regards their personal priorities as the most important even in the face of their own impending extinction. Children are not rational and adults are not much better. Space exploration is below our current technological capability, its just like deep ocean exploration. We are so too vulnerable in the harsh environment of deep ocean and space, perhaps we need to be able to explore the deep seas before we venture to space. We need the hardware to ensure we are protected in space, spaceship tough enough to withstand any foreign object that will strike our spaceship, we need a big enough spaceship large enough to carry enough food and fuel to bring us to our destination. Also better equipment to help with detection, be sure of where we are going and navigational equipment to bring us back. If you look at our current technological level, we will need many more...

Another space movie "Interstellar" premier yesterday 6 Nov 2014 Thursday. I like to watch such movie especially when there are many high-tech or advance spacecraft in it. But travelling to  another habitable galaxy is out of our reach at the moment. We even have problem just getting into low earth orbit after 57 plus year of experiences, what a apathetic state of technology. Our species have not reach a level whereby we are really intellectually advance enough and stop playing to our innate feelings, especially those which are selfish and are capable of wiping out every species on earth including ourselves. I think we should be happy to stop blowing ourselves up when attempting to travel to space in the next 10-15 years. Even travelling to Mars is out of question in the next 15 years, with current commitment level. The moon, maybe !

The international space station is out there now, but nothing new seems to be happening these days ! I  guess we have more things happening on the ground! Why no one testing a new spacecraft with a human in it and go further from Earth? 

Ever wonder is there anything outside our known Universe ? Do you believe the Big Bang Theory ? Always curious how people can convince themselves to believe that they are able to predict what's out there or detect other stars when they cannot even be sure what's out there on our very own moon ?