HyperDrive

Good question. Short answer? Space manufacturing. I think space mining is still a little off (except maybe for mining the Moon for He-3) but the ability to manufacture in space (i.e. probes, ships, satellites, etc.) is legitimate. Recent studies to see how 3D printers function outside of Earth's gravity makes this sound even more possible as a business pursuit. The propulsion mechanisms, some of the electronics, and a few other parts would have to be transported from the Earth's surface, but the framing can be developed in space and the object can be constructed in orbit. Since it is essentially raw material being transported from Earth into space, and not a finished product, some amounts of risk on the consumer end is removed. The biggest market would be the creation of space objects that are too large to be currently feasible (i.e. can't fit in the Space Shuttle, on an Atlas V, or would have to be assembled in space with pieces delivered from multiple launches). In terms of space exploration (and colonization), this is how you will create a large living space that can be delivered to another planet. The biggest space business will probably be mining operations, but the magnitude of an operation like that (and the high number of deaths that would likely be associated with it) make mining something that is a bit more distant. Plus, those mining operations (whenever they do come into existence) will need transport vessels... which can also be manufactured while orbiting Terra Firma. Essentially, someone is going to eventually spend a lot of money to build a manufacturing operation in space. It will be large--it'll be sent up in pieces (sort of ISS-like). But it will help prevent anyone from having to build and launch "sections" of a space station/ship/probe/etc ever again. That would be my plan to (a) fuel exploration, and (B) make some money doing it. Anyone have $150 billion (+- $50 billion) lying around somewhere?

For years I've thought about space in sort of a fantasy/scifi ideology, watching the Star Treks, Stargates, and shows like that for years thinking about how cool it would be to work with that technology. Every now and again I think, "Gee, it would sure be a lot of fun to work in the space industry," citing in my mind the likes of Scaled Composites, SpaceX, Bigelow Aerospace, Blue Origin, and some others. Over the last few months, though, I've been thinking a lot more seriously about it. There are so many opportunities, if you can get to them: tourism, exploration, mining, and off-world settlement to name a few. These are untapped industries that are going to grow and become substantial world markets, likely at some point within the next 20 years. And I can't help but think that, since I enjoy space and tech so much, why shouldn't I be pursuing this more? I suppose I was just wondering if anyone has really thought about it. I mean, I don't have a wife, don't have kids, and I can pretty well live anywhere in the world. If I'm going to do something like this, now would be the perfect time to take some chances. I've been looking a bit at a conference coming up in July (NewSpace 2011 Space Conference out near San Francisco -- anyone else here going to be at this?) and I'm thinking more and more about going. I'm not sure what I'm trying to get out of this topic post (support? help? best wishes? all of the above?) but I've been around STSF for a while and couldn't think of anywhere else a post like this would be better suited. For all I know there could be some people on here who have also thought about it and come to some conclusion about (a) how they're going to pursue something like this, or (B) why they're avoiding it. I just wanted to throw this up here and see if anyone had any comments about the idea and topic. I know there are those who are just yearning for the day that starships can blast across the galaxy at FTL speeds, but the likelihood of that in the near future is certainly slim-to-none. Maybe the best we can do is setup the next generation for something that remarkable. Anyway, if you've made it this far, thanks for reading. I'd love to read a few remarks and opinions about this topic if you have anything to say. I don't know for sure whether or not it is something anyone on this forum has thought about, but I have to think that a few of you have. Just want to probe your minds a little bit.

So I just found out that Star Trek: The Exhibit is coming to my city in 10 days. Has anyone gone? Is it something worth checking out? It'll be here until May, so I don't have to rush into it (though for a little higher price I have the chance of meeting Robert Picardo and sipping a cocktail the night before it opens to the public). There's a Star Trek: The Exhibit website and there's also an exhibit website at the Louisville Science Center (where the display is located in the city) if anyone wants to look it up.

Oops, forgot about the no links rule. I was wondering if it had ever been considered for a Vegas replacement. I think it said there were something like 100 people who did the cruise. Definitely would be nerdy, but still pretty neat.

Or, more precisely, a ship full of trekkers. I just ran across this article and figured you'd all enjoy it. Anyone on here taken part in this nautical festivity? I wonder if they have a "Captain for the day" program... ;) worldhum.com/features/travel-stories/star-trek-where-no-travel-writer-has-gone-before-20091103/ (link removed, but you smart people can find this website if you try)

Thanks Lexi! I'll look at usajobs later and see what I can find. I definitely haven't ruled out doing something with the military, especially since they get all the cool gadgets and such. Thanks for the help!

Interestingly enough, I've actually been looking at that some. There are still only a few such programs in existence, though, and they're highly competitive, but I've considered applying to some. The ones I know of off hand are at Penn State, U. Washington in Seattle, and Arizona State. There are a few other schools (such as Harvard) that kind of/sort of have programs. I've also thought about getting a masters degree in physics, and then trying to get into space telescopy or something similar.

So, I'm sure a lot of you don't know me at all, but that's ok. I stopped participating in STSF about 4 years ago when I started my undergrad studies. Well, now it's nearly four years later, and I'm about to graduate... but with no idea what I want to do. The fact is, I went to a liberal arts school, which has left me with a wide array of interests, but no set direction. I'm a chemistry major, but I'm not necessarily sure that I want to do chemistry with my life, so I don't know if chem grad school is where I want to be next year. So, I've reached a dilemma. I think I'd like to teach at some point in my life, but not right now. Obviously, I have a huge interest in space, science, and trek-like things, but I'm also interested in international relations, communications, transportation, among others. Basically, I'm seeking recommendations. I'm probably going to apply to Teach for America, and maybe something else that would help me prolong deciding about life. But, I'd love to just jump into something I know I'd love. (Anyone know of a spaceship that needs a chemist? ;) ) I've even thought about going and getting an MBA, and just starting my own research company or something like that. (Dream big, right?) Anyway, I just thought I'd throw something out here and see if anyone knew of something I was overlooking. Suggestions are welcome!

So... to come back some time later and jump into a random conversation... The advertisements for this have me skeptical. I've seen (nearly?) every episode of SG1, and not very many of Atlantis (and most of the ones I have seen were in German about a month ago, where two episodes are usually on right after I get home from work, but the language skills are still a bit weak in some areas). Anyway, I saw the advertisements, and I felt like they were trying to make Stargate look too much like Enterprise (and that sure turned out well). From what I could tell, they added the sex appeal (and not that strange Dr. Carter sex appeal, but girls in far more revealing/less military clothing). For me (and probably most early SG1 fans), the original series focused quite a bit on connecting history to the future, and doing so with technology that is thought to be "hypothetically" correct. I'm afraid that aspect will be critically lost with this new series, much like how it was only used sparingly in later seasons of Atlantis. That being said, I think there are still quite a bit of avenues for the Stargate universe to explore, and I am excited about the new series. Basically, I just hope it doesn't suck. I'm never home on Friday nights, so as long as I can watch it online somewhere, I'll be fine. (At some point, I'm going to invest in a TiVo or something.) I really hope they don't "battlestar" it too much, meaning I hope they don't ruin a potentially good storyline with a bad script.

I missed you, Sub. *sniff*

Can you imagine how weird that would be, looking out a window, and seeing someone just flying through the air? Ok, I admit, it would be totally awesome. Hi Kroells. :P

Haha... I think it would be really neat, and totally freaky. It'll be interesting to see if anything comes of this. The way it looks to be, it isn't just rolling out in sheets of aluminum like we would want. I'd bet that it's a detailed and expensive process. :P But I totally want some for my transparent car.

I dressed like Doc Brown from Back to the Future. It was pretty much amazing. I bought some white hair paint, lab coat, and nice, colored button-up shirt. I loved it!

For safety sake (and, in my opinion, ease of use), Firefox is better to use. Both have security holes, but IE holes tend to be more severe, mostly because hackers tend to spend more time trying to crack it. Firefox has also had some pretty severe holes in the past. However, for Firefox security issues, the community tends to get fixes out incredibly fast. By now, Firefox supports just as much (and a little more in some areas) as IE does, function wise. With the introduction of IE7, Microsoft seems to have, for the most part, caught up with web changes, and I haven't seen any security issue that hasn't had a fix released a short time later. Honestly, as far as I can tell, the IE vs. Firefox debate has really come down to preference. Many people will argue that IE is ridden with security issues, and while that is true with IE6, the latest versions are actually much more secure. However, that being said, I don't trust Microsoft ActiveX controls, and I find them dangerous. Due to this, and personal preference, I dominantly use Firefox, and I do recommend it, as well. If you are shopping for a browser, you may want to give Opera a try, too.

Oh, come now. Troy has her way of destroying large portions of a ship, if not the entire thing. ;) That aside, I need to look into this new Trek series thing. I've Googled it, and I'll take a closer look at it later. It looks interesting.