Actually, sorry to burst your bubble, Nance, but “cosmonaut” comes from the Greek, and could just as easily have been our word, since we often use Greek roots for our coinages as well. Certainly scientists do.
kosmos = universe + Greek nauts = sailor
Hence, we refer to the cosmos, and things to do with the sea are nautical. If anything, “cosmonaut” is a more consistent term, since “astro” is from the Indo-European and therefore we are mixing languages.
Of course, that’s we do in English all the time!
So chill out, dude.
I believe it was Al Shepard who made the comment about riding on something built by the lowest bidder? I was pleased when these very brave men made it home. I knew how lucky they were to get home. My brother was on the design team for the ascent engine that got them off the moon. It was NOT low bid, or “foreign built”.
I was reading an article complaining that this great space race, this race to the moon, just sort of collapsed once we got there. It asked why we achieved this monumental goal and then simply let it go. I suspect it’s because it was, after all, a race. The primary goal was to beat the Soviets, and scientific discovery was secondary or tertiary. Once the race was over, nobody cared. If, as the Apollo 11 astronauts suggest, we aim at going to Mars, I’d like to hope it’s at least as much for the science as the ego.
I suppose a lab on the moon can provide some great opportunity for scientific study, especially in the field of Low-G studies. Mars… well, unless there is a pressing reason (i.e. we mess up the Earth too badly and need to relocate something) should be a project for later.
That’s a saying meaning, don’t overreact or freak out. Nancyp’s comment seemed totally unfounded concerning your comment. It also is short for “get a grip on reality”.
Dtroutma almost 15 years ago
It’s still there, as are the footprints of the guys from Apollo 14. A neat photo out there.
NancyPelosi almost 15 years ago
Satipera the communist as always! Oh, he’d insist on comrade Satipera!
Every post by this commie shows just how much he hates America and loves communism!
nomad2112 almost 15 years ago
Nice avatar Nancy ! ! !
Motivemagus almost 15 years ago
Actually, sorry to burst your bubble, Nance, but “cosmonaut” comes from the Greek, and could just as easily have been our word, since we often use Greek roots for our coinages as well. Certainly scientists do. kosmos = universe + Greek nauts = sailor Hence, we refer to the cosmos, and things to do with the sea are nautical. If anything, “cosmonaut” is a more consistent term, since “astro” is from the Indo-European and therefore we are mixing languages. Of course, that’s we do in English all the time! So chill out, dude.
deadheadzan almost 15 years ago
Nancy, no need to attack satpera like that, there is nothing in this post to suggest political leanings or hatred. Get a grip.
Dtroutma almost 15 years ago
I believe it was Al Shepard who made the comment about riding on something built by the lowest bidder? I was pleased when these very brave men made it home. I knew how lucky they were to get home. My brother was on the design team for the ascent engine that got them off the moon. It was NOT low bid, or “foreign built”.
nomad2112 almost 15 years ago
Can we all just celebrate the massive achievement and move on?!?!?!
charliekane almost 15 years ago
And once upon a time, Uncle Walter brought this into our living rooms.
4uk4ata almost 15 years ago
Back around 2000, I was hoping that by 2010 we would have set foot on Mars…
4uk4ata almost 15 years ago
Did someone ask?
Eh, I’d rather not, at least for now. It’s a nickname I started using on the Internet (and computer games) when I was 15, and I’m kinda fond of it.
cdward almost 15 years ago
I was reading an article complaining that this great space race, this race to the moon, just sort of collapsed once we got there. It asked why we achieved this monumental goal and then simply let it go. I suspect it’s because it was, after all, a race. The primary goal was to beat the Soviets, and scientific discovery was secondary or tertiary. Once the race was over, nobody cared. If, as the Apollo 11 astronauts suggest, we aim at going to Mars, I’d like to hope it’s at least as much for the science as the ego.
4uk4ata almost 15 years ago
I suppose a lab on the moon can provide some great opportunity for scientific study, especially in the field of Low-G studies. Mars… well, unless there is a pressing reason (i.e. we mess up the Earth too badly and need to relocate something) should be a project for later.
deadheadzan almost 15 years ago
That’s a saying meaning, don’t overreact or freak out. Nancyp’s comment seemed totally unfounded concerning your comment. It also is short for “get a grip on reality”.