ABOUT FACTS NET Space and Planets

Before I start, I would like to say something about how I feel about NASA and our space program. Most of you who are regular readers of my material know that I feel we have a secret alternate space program that is run in secret by the Air Force. I can't prove this but it makes a lot of sense as I have demonstrated in the past. I only mention this now because as I talk about NASA/s plans for the future, I may be talking about things, some or all of which, that I believe that we may have already accomplished.

NASA states that they are working on a new type of laser that will allow them to make more accurate maps of the Moon. They are saying that they plan to go back there and they want the astronauts to be able to find different sites without any trouble. Many areas on the Moon look the same from the ground and it would be easy to miss something that you are looking for. NASA is predicting the return to the moon by humans by 2015. They claim that the Moon would make a good training area for living on alien planets. It seems to me this is only partially true since each planet has its differences. NASA wants to put their laser in orbit around the Moon to create a 3D map. The laser is scheduled to fly in 2008. The mapping of the Moon is expected to take over a year.

To explore space NASA is looking at new technologies for power. One of these is the Prometheus 1, a space craft that will use rocket power to get into space but then switch to atomic electric power. For you fans of Star Gate, the ship in the series bears the same name. They claim that this type of engine is 10 more efficient than a rocket and produces 20 more power than the generators used on Voyager and Cassini. I, personally, am not tickled by the idea of polluting space with nuclear power. There are always so many worries. The first worry being what if the vehicle blows up during launch or crashes back to Earth? NASA would say you have nothing to worry about the container holding the reactor is indestructible but would you bet your life on this, especially knowing NASA's record? The next problem is that radiation may come out in the exhaust, but I am not sure of this. The third problem is similar to the first, what if the ship crashes into a planet and contaminates it? There must be better alternatives. Solar power is good and can power an ion engine but past Mars there is not enough power to stop the craft because of the distance from the sun. NASA likes Prometheus because they believe that the top speed will be greater than 200,000 mph. Prometheus is scheduled for a robotic mission to the Moon in the near future.

NASA is working on developing robots, not just any robots, but robots that have the traits of humans. They believe that if a robot acts like a human it will be easier for astronauts to work with. "Our goal is not for robots to have the same 'thought process' as humans, but rather for them to act, respond and interact more 'naturally' in ways that humans do with other humans," said Illah Nourbakhsh, a scientist who leads a group developing human-robot teams at NASA Ames Research Center, located in California's Silicon Valley. Three main areas will be developed. The first is called collaborative control, the human and robot will converse with each other and the robot will be able to ask questions. The second area is reasoning. It is thought that if a robot reasons the same as a human than it will be easier for the two to work together. Finally the third area will consist of tests with people and robots working together. We may be fathering a new race without even realizing it.

NASA is envisioning a new type of space craft. that uses uses nano technology. The technology allows the craft to change shape and move some of its surface around. Does this sound like science fiction to you? If you answered yes you will be surprised to learn that NASA is working with shape shifting robots right now. The first one is a shape shifting pyramid. but it is envisioned that a spacecraft of the near future will be able to do many different things due to nano technology. If it uses a solar sail then it will be able to repair tears by material that flows into the cut. It will be able to change from a solar sail to a parasail for landings and finally when it is on the ground, it will spread out and move like an ameba.