Wasn't there some deal being talked about a few (5-10 or maybe 15) years ago to do with a partnership with another country to build a Space Launch facility near Woomera???

Can't remember if it was India or Japan though...

Pity, we have sooooo much empty usable deserts that would make ideal Space Flight pads..

I think what you guys are thinking was when QANTAS was doing well with its 'maintenance' reputation and NASA was seriously thinking of setting up "Shuttle-Shop" near Weipa in QLD. Lauch pad n' all.
But for some reason nothing eventuated and not long after QANTAS began doing maintenance overseas, etc and the rest is history.

QANTAS is 3/1 odds on for the next 'crash'.

I think we should aim for Submersible technology and the possibility of living underwater for very long terms - such advancements would parrallel living on Mars, etc. We have the top 3 worlds best Commercial Diving Academies (reputed like Harvard/Yale and Cambridge/Oxford) for starters.
The idea of living underwater solves a lot of issues ...like 'aboriginal land' 
I say this with bias, being a Diver. If we were to have a Space Program - I think we should just stick to one aim - like investigating Europa  But I don't think this will happen as we can't deal with our own Airlines and their problems lately.

I said to my wife. If we ever went to the USA for a holiday, etc - then the NASA sites and museums would be on the top of our lists. My wife has always being fascinated with the Shuttles (even has large prints when she was a teenager) and never turns down an offer to fly in a boeing somewhere.

I think we have the technology ...but the money and desire is another thing.
I think we can find the money quite easy considering we have a small population to 'look after', hence why Rudd expressed "our economy is doing better" than the likes of others and Howard always made sure the unemployment loevel was low by having women work rather than stay at home and have babies.

The desire is another thing ...australia just 'replicates' what the UK and USA do like a mindless zomie/golem.
Luckily via the internet, we are starting to think for ourselves these days so thins might change.

I personally think we should aim for Europa on behalf of the planet as a whole.
Sure the USA will always be top-dog when it comes to stuff like this - its part of their 'Dream'.
But there is no reason why we can't contribute and do something for ourselves for once ...since the Opera House was built.

gizmo_2655 wrote on Dec 30^th, 2010 at 1:11pm:


Yes Gizmo,
If we are talking about Australia - then a space telescope would be wonderful
to put in orbit.
I am sure we could do it even if we get another country to put it on one of their rockets.
This would really put is on the map & we'd get some respect.
We concentrate too much on sport & look whats happened with the cricket?
Money for science instead of sport would be my motto.

gizmo_2655 wrote on Dec 30^th, 2010 at 1:39pm:


We could if it was close to the equator.
Somewhere in the North would be O.K.
The last idea fizzled out.