Air Force 2025...Planetary Defense System...ooh boy!

[jus_the_facts]

*snips*

Historically, humankind has used ingenuity and cunning to develop solutions to life-threatening challenges. Some of these threats have been immediate; others possible but not probable; and still others extremely remote. But, although planetary defense falls into the latter category, one must consider the extreme consequences that would likely result from an ECO impact. The issue is not if, but when an asteroid or comet will suddenly be detected as an EMS threat, causing global chaos and panic and ultimately placing all of humanity at risk. Obviously, our forefathers thought highly enough about our species to invest in capabilities to ensure its survival. The obvious question, then, is: Do today's leaders possess the same conviction towards preserving the human race, and, are they willing to invest in the PDS as a "catastrophic health insurance policy" for planet Earth?



The Planetary Defense System (PDS) will provide a functional defensive capability against threat objects from space by 2025-a capability that may prevent catastrophic destruction and loss of life and even save the human race from extinction. Obviously, there is no guarantee that an asteroid or comet will pose a threat before, during, or even after this time frame, but, in any case, the global community will be prepared once the PDS is developed and deployed. The previous chapter also listed numerous dual-use benefits for the PDS.
A PDS system has many potential dual-use capabilities, with or without modification, such as earth and space surveillance, space debris detection and mitigation, ballistic missile defense, and as a space-based offensive weapons system. The overall system is, however, only one of many benefits of a decision to embark on a PDS research, development, and deployment effort.




http://www.au.af.mil/au/2025/volume3/chap16/v3c16-5.htm#v3c16-5

:wtf:....who's gonna PAY for this...will the top 1% fork over some o'their tax cuts for THIS...when they won't EVEN help to SAVE the ENVIRONMENT OF THE PLANET....AAAAAAAAAAAAAH?! :crazy:

[Melynn]

1. With all of this talk about "comet protection"

It makes you wonder if the Defense Department knows something that we don't know.....or doesn't want us to know. :scared:

[jus_the_facts]

2. I seriously doubt we as a species are gonna get so lucky......

....I think it's gonna be painfully slow and extremely brutal. x(

[Melynn]

4. The process may have already started

with global warming. I suspect it has.

[jus_the_facts]

13. I definitely suspect.....

....it has....the ice melt at the polls I just read today is supposed to raise sea levels around 16ft say some scientist. :(

[SmileyBoy]

5. That tinfoil is blocking your eyes.

:tinfoilhat:

[SmileyBoy]

3. Flame me, but I think this is a really good idea.

I think this is something we need to develop. The threat of asteroids and comets is very real, and they pose danger to our planet.

[Melynn]

6. I won't flame you

I just like to know all of the facts. I still say those in power know something that we don't. And if there is a real threat, then I too think that it is a good idea.

[SmileyBoy]

7. I highly doubt they're keeping anything from us.

If something was headed our way, you would've known about it by now. They wouldn't be able to keep it under wraps. The news would leak out from someplace in the world pretty quickly.

I think this is just the Defense Department finally waking up and smelling the coffee on this big continuous threat to our planet.

[JohnLocke]

8. I agree (nt).

[jus_the_facts]

10. yeah....you'd think so huh......

....but yet they refuse to extend the funds necessary even LOOK for these possible earth bound objects....but rather it's much more obvious it's to necessitate the dire need for space war toys instead. :think:

[Placebo]

9. You know you want a sexy, shiny, fancy new Planetary Defense System.

MMM...Planetary Defense System......*drools* :9

[slutticus]

11. I think an asteroid defense system is a good idea.

I do not like this phrase however... "A PDS system has many potential dual-use capabilities, with or without modification, such as earth and space surveillance, space debris detection and mitigation, ballistic missile defense, and as a space-based offensive weapons system."

[Placebo]

12. I just don't know how many terrorists...

are going to be taken out by this hypothetical "PSD"

[jus_the_facts]

14. Exactly.....

....that's the most pertinent line for the military industrial complex to be sure. :nopity:

[slutticus]

15. I'm thinking they just say that...

...so that the gub-ment will pay for the project. Congress sure as hell has no interest in protecting people...so the scientists and engineers who want to build this thing (for the purpose of protecting earth from asteroids) have to bullshit their way into some money. They can easily do that by promising some bullshit dual-use thing.

All you have to do is mention "missile defense" or "weapons system" in your grant and the money is as good as yours.

[jus_the_facts]

16. eh...could be...I was thinkin' more like StarWars in new packagin

....to appeal to a broader scope of people....not JUST the warmongers...regardless we can't afford it for either purpose actually.

[jus_the_facts]

17. kick

[bobthedrummer]

18. Star Wars, Star Trek and Killing Politely by Dr. Nick Begich

http://www.angelfire.com/or/mctrl/starwars.html

[ThorsHammer]

19. Sounds like 'Star Wars'/SDI on steroids

[jus_the_facts]

20. from the lowest bidder no less....

:scared:

[ThorsHammer]

21. Yep, crazy stuff, sounds like those movies a few years back

This is something straight from Independence Day or the other one with an asteroid. It's also one of those things where we'll spend (waste?) billions, while there are more pressing concerns that directly affect people here.

[jus_the_facts]

22. I totally agree.....

.....so much for having an inhabitable planet to *protect* x(

[Enraged_Ape]

23. Didn't they have one of these in the Terminator movies?

I think it was called Skynet.

And as I recall, it didn't turn out to be a very good idea.

[jus_the_facts]

24. ...comin' to the world theater of the obsurd soon.....

.....truth is much stranger than fiction these days. :nopity: