Our Space Future, from the eyes of 1986

So, we were going through some stuff in the garage, seeing what could be tossed in the trash. In one box, we came upon a poster from around 1986 when the Challenger blew up. It's an Omni Space Timeline, and is a funny read. I will type out what was predicted to happen.

1992 Columbus
The space station Columbus is launched into orbit. With it begins a new epoch of space exploration: our first important step towards the colonization and commercialization of space. Columbus is to be the staging point for a wide vareity of operations: expeditions to the moon, satellite repairs, and commercial facilities. It is also the launch point for space tugs, which travel to geosynchronous orbit.

1993 Space Biz
Business in space begins in earnest with the establishment of a small laboratory and manufacturing complex onboard the Columbus.

1996 Galileo II
Columbus launches the robot explorer Galileo II on its three year journey to Saturn. upon arrival Galileo will shoot a probe into Saturn's gaseous rings and another to its moon, Titan, which has a primitive Earthlike atmosphere.

2000 Tourists
Twenty-five years ago prescient Earthlings began booking pleasure flights into space. now the first tourists begin making multiorbit space safaris complete with a visit to Columbus. Initially restricted to the rich and famous, the flight becomes available to others through a shuttle safari lottery system. The home videos taken on these flights are breath-taking.

2005 Robots on Mars
The first of a series of three robot rovers lands on Mars. the tanklike vehicle spends months collecting geological samples from the planet's dried riverbeds, valleys, and volcanoes. The rover loads the samples into a small spacecraft and rockets them up to waiting scientists. These samples may help answer key questions about the planet's geohistory and habitability. Plans are being made to discuss establishing a colony on Mars.

2010 Moon Colony
The lunar polar orbiter locates water near a crater, and a site is selected for a lunar settlement. initially a military outpost, the colony welcomes its first civilians to the moon a year later.

2012 Space Baby
One year after the civilian astronaut couple have settled in, the first space-child is born. The child does not visit Earth until adolescence, and when he does he finds life Exhausting on the noisy, crowded planet with its heavier gravity. He is homesick for Tranquility Base. But back on the moon life now seems dull. Bored, he signs up for the colonial expedition to Mars.

It's kinda funny to see what people even back in 1980s thought we would accomplish within 25 years or so. And kinda disappointing that we were no where near what they thought. Figured I would share this with you guys. Some might find it interesting.

Can't argue with this video and what he says at all. I'm old enough that the space program did inspire me into being the science, math and engineering nerd that I am. I was alive, though not old enough to really get it, when man first walked on the moon. I put up with being the only female technician in three of my jobs before women started expanding more into the area. Even then I was honestly part of a minority until this century. I'm glad that has changed. Funny how in the 80's as a woman who tested really high in mechanics and electronics at the age of 17 got told she could have any job in those areas she wanted without restriction when she joined the Air Force. However, what do we have now to really inspire the next generations? Earthbound IT is huge, but I'm telling you right now it is really getting over saturated with people trained in it. Maybe we can really make better gas mileage in cars come true? I'm still skeptical because my 1987 Honda Accord stick shift without electronic fuel injection got 37 miles per gallon. Our schools don't even rate like they used to versus the world. Seriously. So what have we been doing for 25 years? Okay, I'm getting off my soap box now. I'm not even going to go into politics because well that is a no no in the Gaiscioch family due to possibly causing a huge flare up. ::grins:: At least I have the right to go on about it when I do because I do vote!

» Edited on: 2012-05-12 08:02:15

» Edited on: 2012-05-12 08:03:07

Getting lazier and dumber. I am just as bad as the rest mind you but at least I admit it. :P

That video, Wolfie... Made me very very sad. Mr Neil deGrasse Tyson is an awesome guy, and very passionate about science and space. And I agree with Briseadh and Bushi as well. And I am guilty of being super lazy as well. Space has always fascinated me, which is funny because I don't really care for sci-fi stuff. Always wanted to go into space myself. I was never tech savvy, though. But to be out in space, to look down on the planet from above... the idea makes me short of breath. And knowing that NASA has stopped their manned missions into space makes me very sad.