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New Horizons: Nasa spacecraft speeds past Pluto

bbc.co.uk

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Re: New Horizons: Nasa spacecraft speeds past Pluto

#4

Post by dingaling »

That flag-waving and chanting of U-S-A U-S-A at the point of closest approach was one of the most appalling, jingoistic, alienating spectacles I've ever seen.

You'd think they had just planted the flag in the soil ( ice? ) and claimed Pluto for God and America.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Space Race is over. Grow up. You're doing this for all humanity.

Re: New Horizons: Nasa spacecraft speeds past Pluto

#5

Post by smackay »

dingaling wrote: post #4

That flag-waving and chanting of U-S-A U-S-A at the point of closest approach was one of the most appalling, jingoistic, alienating spectacles I've ever seen. You'd think they had just planted the flag in the soil ( ice? ) and claimed Pluto for God and America. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Space Race is over. Grow up. You're doing this for all humanity.

"This necessitated aiming New Horizons at a "keyhole" in space just 100km by 150km (60miles by 90 miles), and arriving at that location within a set margin of 100 seconds."

That's pretty damned impressive by any standard you care to mention so go ahead, "U-S-A" yourselves a few more times. I think it was earned.

Re: New Horizons: Nasa spacecraft speeds past Pluto

#6

Post by [deleted] »

dingaling wrote: post #4

That flag-waving and chanting of U-S-A U-S-A at the point of closest approach was one of the most appalling, jingoistic, alienating spectacles I've ever seen. You'd think they had just planted the flag in the soil ( ice? ) and claimed Pluto for God and America. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Space Race is over. Grow up. You're doing this for all humanity.

[deleted]

Re: New Horizons: Nasa spacecraft speeds past Pluto

#7

Post by pavlov »

dingaling wrote: post #4

That flag-waving and chanting of U-S-A U-S-A at the point of closest approach was one of the most appalling, jingoistic, alienating spectacles I've ever seen. You'd think they had just planted the flag in the soil ( ice? ) and claimed Pluto for God and America. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Space Race is over. Grow up. You're doing this for all humanity.

I imagine they do that embarrassing routine so that American TV channels would report on their achievements.

If they stick to science, Fox News won't mention it. And if Fox News never mentions NASA, then people get upset about spending their tax dollars on an organization that seemingly does nothing...

In Russia, you have to remember to thank Putin. In USA, you have to remember to wave the flag with sufficient enthusiasm. It's the same thing -- Russians just prefer personified nationalism while Americans rally around abstracted symbols (flag, original text of the Constitution, etc.)

Re: New Horizons: Nasa spacecraft speeds past Pluto

#8

Post by sabertoothed »

smackay wrote: post #5
dingaling wrote: post #4

That flag-waving and chanting of U-S-A U-S-A at the point of closest approach was one of the most appalling, jingoistic, alienating spectacles I've ever seen. You'd think they had just planted the flag in the soil ( ice? ) and claimed Pluto for God and America. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Space Race is over. Grow up. You're doing this for all humanity.

"This necessitated aiming New Horizons at a "keyhole" in space just 100km by 150km (60miles by 90 miles), and arriving at that location within a set margin of 100 seconds." That's pretty damned impressive by any standard you care to mention so go ahead, "U-S-A" yourselves a few more times. I think it was earned.

You do not seem to have understood his / her remark. He / she was not trying to diminish the remarkable achievement nor questioning the celebration of this success. But the jingoistic way it was celebrated.

EDIT: Why do I get downvoted? I was merely explaining OP's point of view.

Re: New Horizons: Nasa spacecraft speeds past Pluto

#10

Post by [deleted] »

sabertoothed wrote: post #8
smackay wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"This necessitated aiming New Horizons at a "keyhole" in space just 100km by 150km (60miles by 90 miles), and arriving at that location within a set margin of 100 seconds." That's pretty damned impressive by any standard you care to mention so go ahead, "U-S-A" yourselves a few more times. I think it was earned.

You do not seem to have understood his / her remark. He / she was not trying to diminish the remarkable achievement nor questioning the celebration of this success. But the jingoistic way it was celebrated. EDIT: Why do I get downvoted? I was merely explaining OP's point of view.

[deleted]
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