NASA Mission to Pluto

[Dave RP]

With all the terrible news we see to often in the world, I have found the NASA mission to Pluto one of the most uplifting stories I've read in a long time. Whatever ones political or religious views, this is a wonderful story of human skill, tenacity and endeavour and I send my warm thanks and congratulations to the US for their contribution to science and discovery. Brilliant and awe inspiring.

 

[Armoured]

If scientists are so smart, how come they sent a probe to a planet after deciding it wasn't a planet?

 

[KCfromNC]

If scientists are so smart, how come they sent a probe to a planet after deciding it wasn't a planet?

Pretty sure the probe was launched after the reclassification. The planning certainly was.

But mostly just wanted to thank you for finding another awesome sig-video.

 

[kit]

If scientists are so smart, how come they sent a probe to a planet after deciding it wasn't a planet?

Probes have been sent to asteroids and comets. Is there law allowing probes only to "Planets"?

 

[Armoured]

Probes have been sent to asteroids and comets. Is there law allowing probes only to "Planets"?

Not after they have decided they're not asteroids or comets anymore, they haven't.

 

[stamperben]

There are icy mountains akin to the Rockies on Pluto. How many millions of dollars was spent for that bit of info?

 

[Armoured]

There are icy mountains akin to the Rockies on Pluto. How many millions of dollars was spent for that bit of info?

We probably could have paid for literally minutes of war against various middle eastern countries with that money!

 

[stamperben]

We probably could have paid for literally minutes of war against various middle eastern countries with that money!

Or we could have rebuilt how many bridges in this country with that money? $720 million to be exact.

 

[Armoured]

Or we could have rebuilt how many bridges in this country with that money? $720 million to be exact.

That's SOCIALISM!

 

[kit]

Not after they have decided they're not asteroids or comets anymore, they haven't.

Alright let's go at this from another angle. Is a Dwarf Planet not a Planet? What is the adjective and what is the subject noun when referring to a Dwarf Planet?

 

[stamperben]

That's SOCIALISM!

 

[Armoured]

Alright let's go at this from another angle. Is a Dwarf Planet not a Planet? What is the adjective and what is the subject noun when referring to a Dwarf Planet?

Um, obviously it's not a planet. Look at any scientist approved list, there are 8 planets in the Solar System, Pluto isn't one of them.

 

[kit]

Or we could have rebuilt how many bridges in this country with that money? $720 million to be exact.

It is not as if we have a $720 million ration and we chose exploration OVER bridges. It is like finishing everything on your plate because someone is starving in Haiti. It is not as if the starving person is going to get the uneaten portion from your plate.

 

[Armoured]

It is not as if we have a $720 million ration and we chose exploration OVER bridges. It is like finishing everything on your plate because someone is starving in Haiti. It is not as if the starving person is going to get the uneaten portion from your plate.

Scientists spending $720 million to send a probe to a non existent planet while people starve in Haiti *SMH*

 

[kit]

Scientists spending $720 million to send a probe to a non existent planet while people starve in Haiti *SMH*

The probe has proven quite well that Pluto exists!

 

[pgp_protector]

Or we could have rebuilt how many bridges in this country with that money? $720 million to be exact.

Less than one.
http://www.wnyc.org/story/316201-brief-history-64-billion-bay-bridge/

 

[Armoured]

The probe has proven quite well that Pluto exists!

So we'll be changing all the solar system charts and text books back to 9 planets, now? Think of the expense! All that money wasted because of incompetent scientists!

 

[pgp_protector]

Or we could have rebuilt how many bridges in this country with that money? $720 million to be exact.

Or for some more average cost.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/estimates/COMP_BR_COSTS_2011-eng.pdf
720,000,000 will build rough cost 4800000 square feet of bridge @ an average of $150 per Square Foot. (2012 figures)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_Highway_standards
: New bridges are to have at least MS 18 (HS-20) structural capacity. Weaker bridges that can continue to serve the route for 20 more years are allowed to remain.
Additionally, existing bridges can remain if they have at least 12-foot-wide (3.7 m) lanes with 10-foot (3.0 m) outside and 3.5-foot (1.1 m) inside shoulders. Long bridges are to have at least 3.5 feet (1.1 m) on each side of the travel lanes; bridge railing should be upgraded to current standards if necessary.

2 Lanes @ 12 Foot Wide + 10 Foot outside & 2X 3.5 Foot inside = 29 Feet wide Minimum

4800000 / 29 Feet = 165,517.25 feet of length of bridge for 720 Million

 

[kit]

So we'll be changing all the solar system charts and text books back to 9 planets, now? Think of the expense! All that money wasted because of incompetent scientists!

A dwarf Planet is a planet. Note the noun.

We will keep adding to our knowledge and understanding. I suppose it was a burden for European map makers to add all that ink and paper to represent the Americas after Columbus proved they existed too. At what point is it wise to think we know enough about our universe and stop learning new things?

 

[pgp_protector]

A dwarf Planet is a planet. Note the noun.

We will keep adding to our knowledge and understanding. I suppose it was a burden for European map makers to add all that ink and paper to represent the Americas after Columbus proved they existed too. At what point is it wise to think we know enough about our universe and stop learning new things?

Then we still need to update all the books. with Ceres, Haumea, Makemake & Eris, and any others we might find in the future.