O5-20 t1_j8ymmzr wrote
Reply to comment by HotFix6682 in What precautions related to space exploration do you think humans should take before finally venturing out into the rest of the Solar System? by [deleted]
Playing devil’s advocate here— wouldn’t more competition between countries drive more exploration? Teamwork would likely just cause stagnation of progress.
ShadowKiller147741 t1_j8ypnyp wrote
Having territorial interests in space will inevitably lead to conflicts in space. Whatever form that may take, it'll invariably lead to immense consequences since things like conflict debris are a much greater concern in space than on Earth.
If, for example, a military vehicle is destroyed on Earth, it's highly unlikely that debris will cause damage to civilians (assuming it's not in civilian areas). That debris will eventually be consumed by the Earth and not be of significant note to anyone. But that same vehicle sending shrapnel and orbital debris around a planet creates a minefield for anything entering or exitting it, regardless of affiliation or alliance.
At the end of the day, you want to avoid armed conflict in space as much as possible. It's why countries shouldn't shoot down each other's satellites, it fucks ALL of them up.
O5-20 t1_j8yrl8j wrote
The amount of debris needed to trap us here on earth is a very large amount, plus, the usefulness of space will drive solutions to orbital debris which could be very useful in the future.
Also, that assumes that smashing satellites is only option used, even when other countries have considered pushing satellites out of orbit or using lasers.
The reality is that progress is derived from conflict. Without conflict, there is no progress.
ShadowKiller147741 t1_j8ys26r wrote
I never said trap us here on Earth, I'm saying that it's still a significant, indiscriminant danger. And I can agree with the conflict driving progress part, but I'd rather humanity as a whole move past needing conflict to get shit done. Not saying it's likely, just preferable
O5-20 t1_j8yseg1 wrote
Hmm, I swore I remember reading that, but I agree It’s definitely still a significant danger.
It would be nice if we could work together, but the nature of human progress isn’t in cooperation to the contrary of how every wishes it was.
Rawtothedawg t1_j8z08oe wrote
I think this leads to intergalactic war
O5-20 t1_j8z0gjd wrote
I’d beg to differ. Distances between planets are vast, let alone galaxies.
Rawtothedawg t1_j8z1i7g wrote
Not saying today. But in the near future after arrival i believe so
O5-20 t1_j8z1xwo wrote
Just for context, getting to the nearest solar system takes 4 years if you travel at the speed of light (186,000 m/s) and crossing the galaxy will take ~100,000 years. From then on, it’s millions of years to the next major galaxy.
Iirc we haven’t even reached 1% of light speed. So unless a revolution happens very soon, I don’t think intergalactic war is in the cards
Rawtothedawg t1_j8z2evr wrote
I just realized what your argument is - i misspoke. I meant interplanetary warfare
BackRowRumour t1_j8z9jo1 wrote
Agreed. Competition is the only thing that will actually drive it. Decades of genuine altruism have delivered orderly nothing.
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