11th
Focus On Robots For Space Exploration!
Apparently, NASA is explaining to the Obama administration why they’re working on a new rocket design for upcoming astronaut missions. NASA says the plans for the Ares rocket system are based on newer space shuttle technology (using solid rocket boosters) which is safer for humans because it’s been extensively studied after the Challenger disaster. However, I think NASA should be working on more robotic missions and improving robot technology. Space robot development would have more obvious benefits for terrestrial applications, and once robotic missions are “safer for robots” — the technology would be “safer for humans” as well….
Other stuff NASA should be working on: artificial biosphere technologies. To my knowledge there’s only one man-made example of a functioning biosphere that is self-sustaining: Ecospheres. Ecospheres are novel aquariums that contain algae, shrimp and other micro-organisms, and they can all survive together for years without adding food, air or water (still requires sunlight and consistent temperatures). NASA should keep working on ways to create life support systems that can be maintained reliably since it seems like the ISS occupants are always on the edge of running out of food/water supplies. (How can they even think about going to Mars in a similar contraption?) Projects like Biosphere2 seem to be going nowhere, and the current state of the climate indicates we’re not exactly doing a great job with the original biosphere we have.
