Human Space? have we lost our will for anything other than money and thrills?

We (government and corporate) are going to lose the opportunity to get past low earth orbit due to the minefield of hyper-velocity space junk, now exponentially multiplying by collisions with other space junk. Impact speeds are extremely high - 10Km/sec is not unusual, and at such speeds a sugar cube will blast a hole through most structures. The cleanup, and ongoing orbital insertions (and recapture) needs doing VERY SOON... see http://savingthepla.net/ - problem #2

I propose that a "non-corporate" and "non-national" organization or agency be tasked and funded. http://unitedspaceagency.com/ describes such a system, and also provides 2 major bases for ETs (Extra-Terrestrial HUMANS) to permanently live in. http://haven1.com/ and http://leo-port.com/ . AscentCraft.com spells out some designs for achieving this, requiring only drive hardware such as manufactured in the SIXTIES with modern control, computing and communication gear.

The $10Bn budget (unfairly "equally") shared by the 6Bn population who would get some benefit from this (the other 1Bn do not presently get sufficient nutrition) - Problem #5 in a fairer sharing it's about 10cents a week- and 1/2 Hr of effort. Read the websites. help with them, if you can. YES... It could be real in this year -

..and (modified) Haven1 type craft could usefully go to Deimos - an ideal manufacturing base, and take 40 passengers to thrill seek nearby Mars within a few years, though Haven1 offers a far better living environment to stay in, manufacture in, farm in. "tin cans" for 6 to live in for several years, with inadequate solar storm screening and hard-tack provisions, without backup or rescue sems like a stupid risk to say "I got there first, kicked a rock, and planted the first flag" - It is theEASY collection of materials from Deimos and Phobos - and the asteroid belt beyond - that make continued expansion into the solar system possible - the planets are NOT suitable for living on, but Haven1 is.

Commerce? - well yes, we do need the incomes of rich capitalists LEO-PORT (300Km Equatorial) is the first assembly point, with 1/10 G living, and 0G shirtsleeve construction and entertainment space. You can still use a normal toilet, shower, eat food and drink from a cup or glass in the living areas and do zero G ballet or gymnastics, though 1/10 G is pretty "enabling"! - more G if you want it - see the websites

LordOxford 1301-014 KohChang, TH

Hi Swampash' Google Earth was and is "a wonder product" with many benefits - and risks, perhaps only eclipsed by wikipaedia. I get the impression that it's getting too Microslop.com friendly (such may be ESSENTIAL for many large internet corporations) ... but hey! who DOES own and direct it .... this "Schemer" may be a good idea that MS wants to control or kill... What is "Schemer", can it be non-corporately rescued? Should it be? I'm new to Slashdot, so please forgive any mis-operation in writing to you Oxford