Space Cadets

[sphenisc]

Thought this might interest sceptics:

http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article327528.ece

As a matter of interest, how many ways can you come up with of checking whether you're in near earth orbit or not?

:)

[PatKelley]

"Anyone with a military background or knowledge of space was instantly ruled out. "

Good thing it's not in the U.S.- that woud not reduce the participant pool by much.

[TX50]

I'd like to know how they are going to explain how they won't be
"weightless" in space.

[bagtaggar]

People are really really scientifically illiterate. You can tell them that the vehicle has a newly developed "pseudo-gravity" device and they'll buy it.

[Kenny 10 Bellys]

I imagine they'll tell part of the truth, that there is indeed gravity in space, it's just that they'll be flying slow enough to feel it instead of the usual 17,000mph that counteracts it. :)

There is indeed gravity in low earth orbit, if you climbed a 400-mile high ladder and jumped off you'd fall to Earth, so I imagine they'll use something like that to BS the contestants. Frankly, anyone who volunteers for a reality show of any kind deserves everything they get.

[Bronze Dog]

I might just end up watching this disaster. My lack of faith in humanity needs a little reinforcement.

[c4ts]

I did this back when it was called "Space Camp."

[c4ts]

People are really really scientifically illiterate. You can tell them that the vehicle has a newly developed "pseudo-gravity" device and they'll buy it.

An explanation from Star Trek might suffice.

[sphenisc]

Given that you've been told there's 'pseudo gravity', would Foucault's pendulum work? I.e. if you're in near earth orbit you should go round the earth in considerably less than 24hrs, so the plane of a suitable pendulum should rotate round its axis much faster than expected?

Have I got this right?

Cheers

[joesixpack]

Given that you've been told there's 'pseudo gravity', would Foucault's pendulum work? I.e. if you're in near earth orbit you should go round the earth in considerably less than 24hrs, so the plane of a suitable pendulum should rotate round its axis much faster than expected?

Have I got this right?

Cheers

You've been disqualified from "Space Cadet" . Thank You for playing.

[sphenisc]

The Telegraph discusses suggestability...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2005/12/15/bvspace15.xml&sSheet=/arts/2005/12/15/ixartright.html