Iran sends Mouse and Turtle into space

[Captain.Sassy]

What, so just because some nations happened to launch rockets in the 1950s, now you're lame if you launch rockets at any later date?

I, for one, applaud the latest iteration in the Iranian space program. Any nation that wants to master rocketry has to master it for themselves. There is simply no other way. Launching animals into space is an obvious and necessary precursor to launching humans into space. At the same time some bemoan America's looming reliance on foreign rockets for manned space missions, Iran takes one step closer to being free from that reliance themselves--a step worthy of respect, not ridicule.

And of course it's also a step closer to strategic power, to regional and global influence on an ever-greater scale. No small goal, and no small program for getting there. What would you have Iran do, DR? Halt their program here, because launching animals is "so 1950s"? Skip over all the intermediate steps, straight to launching gps satellites and interplanetary probes and manned ISS missions, like all the Cool Kids of the New Millennium are doing? Just give up and beg for rides from other, more advanced programs?

How else would you have Iran reach for the stars, and the world, except step by step, the way everybody else does?

I agree with most of what you've written here, but I find Ahmedinejad's apparent bluster about this being evidence of Iran's having surpassed the West technologically kind of funny. (I don't know how much of this is due to translation though.)

 

[Pardalis]

What, so just because some nations happened to launch rockets in the 1950s, now you're lame if you launch rockets at any later date?

You obviously don't know how technology progresses. You don't have to reinvent the wheel everytime. You build upon the technology that's already there. You don't need to send mice into space because it's been done before, we already have humans there.

This only shows how isolationist Iran is.

Iran never had to re-discover photo-electricity, or re-invent the automobile from scratch. Why is their "space" program any different?

 

[theprestige]

You obviously don't know how technology progresses. You don't have to reinvent the wheel everytime. You build upon the technology that's already there. You don't need to send mice into space because it's been done before, we already have humans there.

This only shows how isolationist Iran is.

Iran never had to re-discover photo-electricity, or re-invent the automobile from scratch. Why is their "space" program any different?

If Iran wants to manufacture photoelectric apparatus themselves, they will have to learn how to do it themselves. If they want to build their own automobiles, they will have to learn how to build their own automobiles. Of course they will learn everything they can from experts in the field, and we know they are doing exactly this with their rocketry and nuclear programs.

But in the end, if Iran wants Iranian-built rockets, they will have to train their own engineers, and master the necessary skillsets for themselves. They will have to design, build, and test their own prototypes. They will have to implement for themselves the methods of man-rating a rocket. They will have to build not only finished rocket systems, but also build subsystems, and build the components. They will have to test the components, and the subsystems, and the integrated systems for themselves, and they'll have to test and refine their testing process along the way. Animal-rated rockets are a part of the process of developing man-rated rockets.

If Iran wants to assemble a group of Iranian rocketry engineers who have mastered the skills to build man-rated rockets, how do you suggest they go about doing so?

 

[Pardalis]

If Iran wants to assemble a group of Iranian rocketry engineers who have mastered the skills to build man-rated rockets, how do you suggest they go about doing so?

Pay them plane tickets to visit NASA.

Sooner or later, Iran will have to join the rest of the world.

 

[Captain.Sassy]

You obviously don't know how technology progresses. You don't have to reinvent the wheel everytime. You build upon the technology that's already there. You don't need to send mice into space because it's been done before, we already have humans there.

This only shows how isolationist Iran is.

Iran never had to re-discover photo-electricity, or re-invent the automobile from scratch. Why is their "space" program any different?

Meh, I dunno. I get what you're saying, but like, China isn't really isolationist, and the US has restrictions on some technology transfer and on exports of dual-use technologies to China therefore forcing them to develop their own stuff.

 

[Furcifer]

Meanwhile of course on Earth, Iran is to execute protesters[/URL], because you know, having disagreement with the regime is a crime punishable by death over there, but that's another story...

Now Iran will also have to deal with PETA.

PETA needs to send as many protesters as possible to stop this atrocity.

 

[Darth Rotor]

What would you have Iran do, DR?

Launch Mahmoud the Mouth into space: he's a suitable substitute for Boris Badanov.

 

[Darth Rotor]

PETA needs to send as many protesters as possible to stop this atrocity.

Make sure they all wear something green.