And so it starts...

[alexpgp]

Just short of 8 am, Greenwich time, a Soyuz TM31 launch vehicle lofted the first ISS crew toward a "permanent human presence in space."

Now, the work really starts. (Good thing I got some vacation time in. :^)

Cheers...

Comments

In Awe

[cg07446.livejournal.com]

Amazing. Congratulations to all involved.

Is it true?

[papoose.livejournal.com]

Are we talking retirement living communities for baby boomers?

Re: Is it true?

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

I wish we were. Ages ago, science fiction writer Robert Heinlein put forth the hypothesis that older folks would have an easier time in a low-gee environment (less stress on the circulatory system, etc.). Among other items, he foresaw water beds and remote teleoperated devices ("waldoes").

Unfortunately, for a lot of the whiz-bang to come true, it's going to take a lot more than a couple of government programs, and it's not even a question of funding. With very rare exceptions, real progress only comes from the private sector, no matter how many dollars one throws at a problem.

Cheers...

Too Bad

[papoose.livejournal.com]

I guess I'll have to settle for Florida
LOL