Space Marines

Private_ColemanPrivate_Coleman PhD in Video Games Join Date: 2002-11-07 Member: 7510Members
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">USMC anywhere on Earth in 2 hours</div>Source + 6 page article
<a href="http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviationspace/f2c1d65a5f59f010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd/2.html" target="_blank">http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviationspace...bccdrcrd/2.html</a>


<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->A proposed suborbital space transport will put boots on the ground anywhere in the world in two hours or less. But can it overcome huge technological—and political—hurdles?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

This is interesting news. If you don't think so you can go to hell.

Space Marines are the future. Could this trigger the beginning of a race to get guns into space? What do you think this will mean for countries without a space program?

Discuss, comrades.
Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
«13

Comments

  • cshank4cshank4 Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13425Members
    But, the question here is this: Do I get some cool armor if I enlist!?
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    Why the ###### do we even need this? What about manned flights to Mars instead of this ######?
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • Private_ColemanPrivate_Coleman PhD in Video Games Join Date: 2002-11-07 Member: 7510Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1660888:date=Nov 17 2007, 07:32 AM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Nov 17 2007, 07:32 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660888"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Why the ###### do we even need this? What about manned flights to Mars instead of this ######?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    There ain't no terrorists on Mars, son.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1660888:date=Nov 17 2007, 07:32 AM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Nov 17 2007, 07:32 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660888"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Why the ###### do we even need this? What about manned flights to Mars instead of this ######?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    being able to kill people efficiently is very important to us. what's so special about manned mars flights anyway? get all the way there and you still wouldn't be able to see any better than a robot due to all the protection you'd need from the elements.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • AldarisAldaris Join Date: 2002-03-25 Member: 351Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1660888:date=Nov 17 2007, 12:32 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Nov 17 2007, 12:32 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660888"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Why the ###### do we even need this? What about manned flights to Mars instead of this ######?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Why the ###### do we even need manned flights to Mars, other than the "oh cool" factor?
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • X_StickmanX_Stickman Not good enough for a custom title. Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15533Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1660897:date=Nov 17 2007, 01:31 PM:name=Aldaris)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Aldaris @ Nov 17 2007, 01:31 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660897"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Why the ###### do we even need manned flights to Mars, other than the "oh cool" factor?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Because getting men to mars and back, alive and healthy, will create significant strides in space travel in general, since we'll have to overcome many problems along the way.

    One way or another, eventually we'll *need* space travel. It's better to plan for the future and get a head start rather than trying to rush it when we've barely got enough time left.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • OmegamanOmegaman Join Date: 2004-01-11 Member: 25239Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1660888:date=Nov 17 2007, 08:32 AM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Nov 17 2007, 08:32 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660888"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Why the ###### do we even need this? What about manned flights to Mars instead of this ######?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    What the ###### do you think we can get out of ######ing Mars? I swear to god, I get sick every time I see the Discovery channel running a program about living on Mars or in Space or BS like that. It's absurd.

    The next logical step for humanity, if we're talking about new places for man to occupy and live in, is underwater. On the bottom of the sea, there's PLENTY of resources, energy, and food. Resources? On MARS? BS, the only thing you'll have plenty of is dirt and solar power.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • AbraAbra Would you kindly Join Date: 2003-08-17 Member: 19870Members
    If we are doing the underwater thing, I call Andrew Ryan!
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1660933:date=Nov 17 2007, 04:48 PM:name=Omegaman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Omegaman @ Nov 17 2007, 04:48 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660933"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->What the ###### do you think we can get out of ######ing Mars? I swear to god, I get sick every time I see the Discovery channel running a program about living on Mars or in Space or BS like that. It's absurd.

    The next logical step for humanity, if we're talking about new places for man to occupy and live in, is underwater. On the bottom of the sea, there's PLENTY of resources, energy, and food. Resources? On MARS? BS, the only thing you'll have plenty of is dirt and solar power.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The future is space travel, that's what it's going to come to in the end. Why not just make the step right towards it, why put it off?
    This is the same way I feel about "alternative" energy sources. Why waist time with all this bio-diesel stuff when we can just move straight towards the be-all of energy: The solar panel and the electric motor?
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    Let's put another spin on this: It's pretty pointless. It won't add any capabilities that the U.S. military desperately lacks. It won't cover up for the massive deficiencies in the way the U.S. wages war. It's a waste of taxpayer money in a time when the U.S. economy is reeling. I'd be pissed if I were you.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • MaxMax Technical Director, Unknown Worlds Entertainment Join Date: 2002-03-15 Member: 318Super Administrators, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, Constellation, Subnautica Developer, Pistachionauts, Future Perfect Developer
    How does this solve the problem they mention with Pakistan? Presumably the US will still have to negotiate with countries for permission to drop spacemen and conduct military operations within their borders.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • Private_ColemanPrivate_Coleman PhD in Video Games Join Date: 2002-11-07 Member: 7510Members
    edited November 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1660951:date=Nov 17 2007, 08:42 PM:name=Max)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Max @ Nov 17 2007, 08:42 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660951"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->How does this solve the problem they mention with Pakistan? Presumably the US will still have to negotiate with countries for permission to drop spacemen and conduct military operations within their borders.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Hmmm, covert special forces orbital insertions. Now THAT is an interesting idea; not that they would likely be able to do that of course. Regardless it is fun to think about.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • AldarisAldaris Join Date: 2002-03-25 Member: 351Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1660938:date=Nov 17 2007, 10:26 PM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Nov 17 2007, 10:26 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660938"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The future is space travel, that's what it's going to come to in the end. Why not just make the step right towards it, why put it off?
    This is the same way I feel about "alternative" energy sources. Why waist time with all this bio-diesel stuff when we can just move straight towards the be-all of energy: The solar panel and the electric motor?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The future is space travel in methods which do not currantly exist, which makes anything done now useless in terms of real praticality. Second, we're 'waisting' time with it cos solar panels are expensive, useless in certain parts of the world, certain parts of the day, and too dependant on weather. Last but not least, our currant battery technology sucks too much to make it viable.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1660935:date=Nov 17 2007, 04:11 PM:name=Abra)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Abra @ Nov 17 2007, 04:11 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660935"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->If we are doing the underwater thing, I call Andrew Ryan!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'd say I'd be Fontaine then, but I'd rather be Sander. because he's twisted awesome.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • digzdigz be still, maggot Join Date: 2002-05-07 Member: 588Members, NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
    Military budgets seem to push development of next generation technologies. I'm not suggesting that the technology doesn't exists without the military, but you usually see lots of advances in small amounts of time due to the challenges and influx of more money.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    Space as a future living space (particularly moons and planets) is more viable than underwater living space. The difference in pressure is the primary reason here. Both environments kill by depriving a person of air or by temperature and perhaps pressure, but the pressure difference is far worse under the ocean. Underwater structures need to be much tougher than space platforms, and this difference gets worse when you place structures on mars since it has a light atmosphere.

    The benefit of underwater structures is the proximity to our current living space. As things are, it's hard to get into space and hard to get supplies up there. Much of this changes once you have space elevators, the technologies for which are already being actively sought. Once we have these, we can get large amounts of material into space and back down at a much lower cost and much more reliably.

    If this suborbital transport goes through, I wouldn't be surprised if we had low orbit barracks for quick troop drops soon after we have space elevators.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    I don't know about the pressure difference... I would think space platforms would have to be at least as tough as underwater ones, if not tougher. underwater, you have to deal with water wanting to implode your structure in order to equalize pressure; in space, you have to deal with space wanting to suck all the air and contents out of your structure in order to equalize pressure. In either case, you really can't have any leaks. In space, your craft also has to be shielded from radiation and impacts since there's no atmosphere to absorb rays or burn up really fast-moving rocks.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • TykjenTykjen Join Date: 2003-01-21 Member: 12552Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    the war that is goin on is gonna be 100 times more costy than tryin to evolve some new energy instead of oil.
    space marines, give me a bloody break.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    Space has one atmosphere of underpressure compared to earth. That's equivalent to pumping one atmosphere of overpressure into a bottle or tire. The typical bicycle tire has three atmospheres of overpressure in it, give or take.

    By comparison, water pressure increases at one atmosphere per ten meters. Go one hundred meters down and you're already at ten atmospheres overpressure, which is ten times the difference between sea level and total vacuum.

    The real problem is definitely going to be impact shielding. At high speed, a speck of dust can cause untold damage.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • OmegamanOmegaman Join Date: 2004-01-11 Member: 25239Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1660961:date=Nov 18 2007, 01:35 AM:name=Gwahir)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gwahir @ Nov 18 2007, 01:35 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660961"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The benefit of underwater structures is the proximity to our current living space. As things are, it's hard to get into space and hard to get supplies up there. Much of this changes once you have space elevators, the technologies for which are already being actively sought. Once we have these, we can get large amounts of material into space and back down at a much lower cost and much more reliably.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    I see your point about supplies and such, but here's a thought: Wouldn't it be cool if the places we sent supplies, could like, you know, send supplies back? The ocean is FILLED with resources that we could use for food and energy. And space? Space is a bunch of nothing. Economically, we don't get anything out of people living in space and sending them supplies.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1660953:date=Nov 17 2007, 10:43 PM:name=Aldaris)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Aldaris @ Nov 17 2007, 10:43 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1660953"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The future is space travel in methods which do not currantly exist, which makes anything done now useless in terms of real praticality. Second, we're 'waisting' time with it cos solar panels are expensive, useless in certain parts of the world, certain parts of the day, and too dependant on weather. Last but not least, our currant battery technology sucks too much to make it viable.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    That's an interesting view you have there. Do you think the solutions to the problems you outlined are going to invent themselves? No. The way you discover new things is by first <i>trying</i> them, or working towards the inventions that will allow you to work towards the final product. For example the first step to building large/advanced spacecraft is first living in space, since you can't build a large craft on the surface of the planet (It would be too difficult to launch it into orbit) you must have the ship assembled in space.

    The sky is always clear everywhere on the world once you get above cloud cover. Having your solar panels suspended in the atmosphere is the aim.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • arcticaarctica Shindiggery innit Join Date: 2005-02-18 Member: 41646Members
    I blame the SPLOICERS for all this <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    Sweet/salt water desalination > other current powerplants

    No waste and 24/7 power supply > other current powerplants

    Welcome to the Netherlands and their future plans...


    Also dropships FTW!!!
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1661066:date=Nov 18 2007, 06:52 PM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kouji_San @ Nov 18 2007, 06:52 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1661066"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><b>Sweet/salt water desalination > other current powerplants</b>

    No waste and 24/7 power supply > other current powerplants

    Welcome to the Netherlands and their future plans...
    Also dropships FTW!!!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    ...What? I never realized there was such a thing as sweet-water. Is that like when the water naturally has sugar instead of salt?! What a discovery!
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    edited November 2007
    Hmm did a language barier got broken or something? Let's me see here if I made a booboo or are ya just jerking my chain here <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />


    <!--coloro:#808080--><span style="color:#808080"><!--/coloro-->*having a look on teh mighty interweb*<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->


    Damnit, got the translation messed up here.

    Zoet water [Dutch]

    Zoet = Sweet
    Water = well you know, water!

    combine the two you have Sweet water <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    But!!!

    <!--fonto:Courier New--><span style="font-family:Courier New"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:7--><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->I MENT FRESH WATER<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

    Y'know the stuff in rivers and lakes
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    Kouji_San, you ruined my dreams. <i>Ruined</i> them.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    <!--quoteo(post=1661076:date=Nov 19 2007, 12:19 AM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Nov 19 2007, 12:19 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1661076"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Kouji_San, you ruined my dreams. <i>Ruined</i> them.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Well you could go for ehm, I dunno... sugar water to get the same effect, but then again it's not the same as natural sweet water. That would be helluva sweet.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • Private_ColemanPrivate_Coleman PhD in Video Games Join Date: 2002-11-07 Member: 7510Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1661066:date=Nov 18 2007, 05:52 PM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kouji_San @ Nov 18 2007, 05:52 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1661066"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->fresh/salt water desalination > other current powerplants

    No waste and 24/7 power supply > other current powerplants<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    Tell me more about this.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    edited November 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1661078:date=Nov 19 2007, 12:42 AM:name=Private_Coleman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Private_Coleman @ Nov 19 2007, 12:42 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1661078"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Tell me more about this.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Its a way to extract electric currents from the mixing of sea water and river water, which is basically describing our entire coastline. When sea water (salt) mixes with river water (fresh) it creates a small electrical charge. This charge can be harnassed with the use of a special membrame, which was quite expensive to create (back in 1970 when first research started on it). But now they are finally able to create it at a much lower cost due to latest developments in plastics...

    Also a <a href="http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Mixing_Sea_and_River_Water#How_it_Works" target="_blank">wiki</a> on this new kind of blue energy
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • AldarisAldaris Join Date: 2002-03-25 Member: 351Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1661051:date=Nov 18 2007, 09:57 PM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Nov 18 2007, 09:57 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1661051"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->That's an interesting view you have there. Do you think the solutions to the problems you outlined are going to invent themselves? No. The way you discover new things is by first <i>trying</i> them, or working towards the inventions that will allow you to work towards the final product. For example the first step to building large/advanced spacecraft is first living in space, since you can't build a large craft on the surface of the planet (It would be too difficult to launch it into orbit) you must have the ship assembled in space.

    The sky is always clear everywhere on the world once you get above cloud cover. Having your solar panels suspended in the atmosphere is the aim.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Congratulations, you're right, but sending a manned ship to Mars now is not working towards the inventions needed, using solar panels or electric motors now is the same thing. You've not countered my point.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
Sign In or Register to comment.