I found this comment to be worth saving and sharing. I don't know the author. It touches on the development of flight, its impact, and the future of space flight and the potential it holds for the human species.
Source link: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/22/spacexs-grasshopper-vertical-takeoff-vertical-landing-rocke/
Author: "lagrangia"
"It is true that others- notably Delta Clipper - have preceded GrassHopper. The point however is that these precursors were and were intended to be research vehicles. Grasshopper is intended from the start to convert an already active commerical space programme into a mass market operation, driven by rising order books. Also, the task of retrofitting already proven hardware to VTVL multiple usage is revolutionary. If the eventual performance is as Musk projects we are looking at a 10-100 fold reduction in costs of space missions. Maybe today's short hop was a "small fart" , but the Wright Borthers' Flyer in 1903 was no big deal in commercial aviation. In a decade, this could be seen as a game changing step in the aspirations of thousands of Space advocates over many generations- the birth of a true cosmic Diaspora.As Musk, Professor Stephen Hawking and many others have realised, our civilisation requires an expansion beyond our womb planet for its survival and further evolution.The alternatives on offer by opponents of space expansion - namely De Growth and De-Peopling of our civilisation to "Save the Planet" are only worth consideration by committed misanthropes who wish to diffuse hopelessness and acceptance of authoritarian regimes, which are widely expected to grow on a planet with diminishing food, resources and energy .
History shows us that ALL Authoritrian regimes are lethal, unscrupulous, careless of all except their own lust for power and domination, fail, and alwasys cause more suffering than the dangers they claim to be trying to solve In recent years, the calls for suppression of hardwon liberties, righs and living standards to "Save the Planet" are becoming more open, and smell of a modern form of Aztec human sacrifice, which was justly rewarded by the arrival of Hernan Cortez.
One of the few certainties is that, however plausible, antihuman "Green" dictatorships will do no good, and will be worse than any conceivable alternative. Access to vast resources of solar energy raw materials, and opportunity beyond Earth can cut off future ideological aspiring despotisms at the knees. For our descendants this is essential, and we would never be forgiven if we fail to take full advantage of the future the New Space pioneers are pointing to.For the sake of unborn billions, we must wish Elon Musk, Robert Bigelow, and Alan Bond et al God speed. They, not the fatuous celebrities of popular media, are the true heroes of our time."
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