Space Travel: The upcoming future

I personal predict that within the next 25 years, space travel will either become possible, or very near close, private parties (Sir Richard Branson, etc.,) are striving hard to make that vision a reality as soon as possible. Since the days of Sputnik, the race has begun again!http://www.waaytv.com/news/local/story/Huntsville-Space-Professionals-Look-to-Commercial/Fl_t2yNVa0y1XQjZC2X4gw.cspx

Within the next 25 years, with these private companies emerging and putting in their bids for space travel, NASA will have to become a governing agency much like the FAA & DOT. They will have to become the regulator of the industry and ensure that all participants in space travel are held to the highest standards.

I can envision private companies taking on the roles of current airlines, consulting firms, safety companies, etc. I think that space travel will mirror the aviation world as we know it. Especially since Airline mega-monster VIRGIN ATLANTIC, Inc. is one of the leading companies in the race to space. http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/

With the new ISS space station fully operational, life in space is becoming the new query in many people’s mind. “What if we could live in space like they do in the movies?” Before the purpose was to explore the other planets, and our solar system. Now it could possibly be viewed as the newest fad or luxury.

It is my belief, that it would be more of a cost than a benefit. We would have to devote trust of our lives to environmental systems, like life support on “Star Trek”. We all know that there is no oxygen in space, and it’s so cold, that exposure triggers almost instant death. And think of all the $$$ that would be required to make a new world in space, compared to what we already have spent on making the world what it is today?

           Career wise, I think it’s almost a no-brainer that Aviation-based careers would become the new   “gold”. And it would open further opportunities to scientist and pave the way for new inventions, and endeavors for years to come.

ETS: Emmisions Trading Scheme

The Emissions Trading System, referred to as ETS,  is the key tool and system for reducing fuel & pollution emissions throughout the European Union (EU). Among other things, one of its primary focuses are on transportation, and Aviation has become a current hot topic & issue. A cap or limit is set on the total amounts of emmisions that can be produced or emitted. Each company,  industry, etc., has a certain limit on these things.

Currently, a strong arguement exsits between the EU and US regarding how US airliners will be charged for flight operations to airports and useage of airspace of EU members. IF an agreement is not reached, US carriers could suspend or cease operations to the EU, or find loop holes to avoid rediculous charge/taxing from the EU.

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/transport/aviation/index_en.htm


Personally, I think that certain regulations must be made, in order to make sure that not only this system is effiecent, but is fair to all nations. Prime example, and flight from Dallas/Ft. Worth Texas to London-Heathrow, should onlybe charged and held responsible for the portion in which it enters EU airspace. Furtheremore, there needs to be a fair and clear understanding of how the funds collected will be used and dispursed! None of the Miscellaneous crap.

I Found a new blog

While google searching, I found a blog from what appeared to be a young man in Canada, perhaps a flight student. In the particular article I read, he was giving a synopsis of what tanspired earlier in his day. He was preflighting his aircraft for a flight, and noticed a Canadaian Forces Airbus A319 landing in full military colors. Shortly thereafter, he noticed soliders in uniform deplaning from the aircraft.He questioned to himself the point of origin that soldiers came from, and was amazed that an Airbus that size could handle such a trip from he suspected Middle East, to the airport he flies out of in Canada. My response to that is that the configuration of the fuel tanks is what determines the range of the aircraft, in addtion to refueling stops. For example, both Boeing & Airbus have versions of the ultra-sleek "Business jet (A319 or B737 aircraft.) They fly trans-atlantic & pacfic. Plus, don't even mention Gulfstream, Hawker-Beach & Falcon capabilities.

http://airplanepilot.blogspot.com/

-Interesting.