Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to This has been like turning an ocean liner

There Is No Cost Benefit Analysis Supporting You
Mark Eby — (archived)

You supposed goals can be met for far less money.

NASA Report: Expand Search to Include Small Asteroids "The search could be conducted either from the ground or from space. If ground-based, it would take 20 years and cost $236 million. If space-based, the price tag would jump to $397 million but the time frame would shrink to just seven years. Yeomans said in either case the estimates are conservative. Innovative efforts could yield better results."

CAPS Summary

"Primary FY01 RASC focus - develop system concept that provides a “revolutionary” advancement in the detection of NEOs. Initial implementation possible in the next 20 to
40 years."

By the time a moonbase could be done according to caps systems such as those discussed above would already have completed the job.

"The CAPS study team is focusing on three different detection architectures to accomplish
the mission functions:
– Lunar surface based
– Heliocentric orbit (nominally at 1AU – potentially Lagrange points)
– Earth orbiting"

Not a sole focus on lunar option as EP claims.

"The placement of CAPS assets is greatly influenced by assumptions regarding the
availability of synergistic space infrastructure (e.g., Lunar base). The final system may be
configured with elements at various locations."

In other words, you can't justify the lunar option unless a base already exists.

As usual EP is long on hyperbole and short on facts and manufacturing a conflict in his imagination.

Regards,
Mark

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