Thread

1. I_dream_of_Geni · 1790469671 · focus · HN ↗

   OK... Serious question here: we find "life" (algae?) on one of Saturn's moons or one of Jupiter's moons. So, we spend ~$50 Billion (arguably much more) and find "life". So? Why is this important to people? There isn't one chance in (place your own word here) that we can do anything about it or even send humans there. Seriously want to know what people really think...

   1. gosub100 · 1790498191 · focus · HN ↗

      > we spend ~$50 Billion (arguably much more)

      Thanks to the 2nd most hated man alive, it doesn't cost nearly this much to get to space anymore.

      1. hermitcrab · 1790498860 · focus · HN ↗

         And the thousands of people that actually did the work.
      2. idiotsecant · 1790511964 · focus · HN ↗

         And the first most hated man made some really cool rockets too and was a great innovator in the realm of tiny little moustaches.

         People can simultaneously be terrible humans and accomplish positive things while doing it.

         It doesn't make them a better human.

         1. rsynnott · 1790543982 · focus · HN ↗

            > and was a great innovator in the realm of tiny little moustaches

            He was not; he managed to kill off the style, but it's from the 19th century and was actually somewhat popular at one point.

      3. rsynnott · 1790543876 · focus · HN ↗

         Eh. The rather similar JUICE and Europa Clipper Jupiter moon missions (~6 tonnes, going to the same place) were launched in 2023 and 2024 respectively. JUICE went on an Ariane 5 ECA for 150 million euro, the Europa Clipper went on a Falcon Heavy for $178 million. So, er, about the same cost. Reports of cheap access to space have been greatly exaggerated.

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