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- Topics: Active | Unanswered
- monkeychow
- Rep: 661
Re: Earth like planet orbiting Proxima Centauri?
The reason it seems bizarre to us that no one has gone back is because of the computer advances since 1960.
However if you think about it, the majority of what's involved in going to space is not computer related, it's propulsion related.
Sure we have better computers now, and these days your phone could run the computer software used to navigate to the moon.
But science hasn't conquered Astrophysics just yet.
The fastest way to fly a plane in 1960 was a jet engine, in 2016 the fastest way to fly a plane is still a jet engine. They've improved them but the basic science isn't different - it's still based around burning fuels.
Same with space - the way to break out of the atmosphere in 1960 was a liquid fuelled rocket, and that's still how it is done today.
Computers may mean lining up stuff in space is easier on the fly, whereas in 1960 you had to have a mathematical genius flying the ship to do the math by hand if necessary....but essentially....we have not invented a way off the planet that isn't the wylie coyote method of strapping yourself to a shit ton of explosive power.
That's why it hasn't taken off yet - it's very dangerous and very expensive.
The apollo program is about $110 Billion in todays money.
Going back would mean spending that, to go somewhere for the 7th time (hardly bragging rights), that is essentially a desert of rock, and with an extremely significant risk of failure and death.
