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Post by Joe on Nov 7, 2007 1:34:28 GMT -5
The federal government is considering funnelling $45 million into a plan to build a rocket launch pad in Nova Scotia, according to a report published Friday in the Globe and Mail. The Globe, citing anonymous sources, said the funding would not be a federal subsidy, but would instead come from the proceeds of a special agreement the federal government made when signing a $3.2-billion contract last year with U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin. One of the projects Lockheed has offered to invest in is a $150-million tentative plan to build a commercial launch pad in Cape Breton that would send rockets into space to service space stations and carry tourists. PlanetSpace of Chicago previously announced it was talking to the Nova Scotia government about possible launch sites for its Silver Dart spacecraft, named after the first plane to fly in Canada. The original Silver Dart, backed by telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell, lifted off from a frozen lake in Baddeck, N.S., in February 1909. PlanetSpace has asked Fred Doucet, who was a senior official in the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney, to help them secure the $45 million funding, the Globe reported. Neither the government, nor PlanetSpace, has publicly confirmed the tentative funding deal. www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2007/10/26/launch-pad.html
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Post by Northern_Lights on Feb 17, 2008 7:51:37 GMT -5
will this happen? where in CB would it be?
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Post by Joe on Feb 17, 2008 12:05:40 GMT -5
will this happen? where in CB would it be? Hi NL, The latest info. points to a 300 acre launch facility to be constructed on the coast between Glace Bay and Fourchu this year. Demonstration launches are planned for 2009; and the first launch of the Silver Dart should be in 2010. The Silver Dart was the first airplane to fly in what was then the British Empire. Wow, as if the Island's beauty, history, people, and music were not enough...now we will see a rocket launch. Joe
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Post by Northern_Lights on Feb 18, 2008 16:30:56 GMT -5
Although I may be alone here, does CB really need a rocket center? NO. Its great the way it is. I could write an essay on why not to build it- I did that for school on why not to build a shopping mall in my town
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Post by Ginny on Feb 18, 2008 19:34:42 GMT -5
Something like a rocket center is a very big deal, not to mention very expensive, nor is it a big Island...I'm sure there is good reason for this. It's very possible that tourism in Cape Breton is down, maybe this will be a good economical boost for them.
Cheers, Ginny
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Post by Northern_Lights on Feb 18, 2008 20:35:57 GMT -5
but why can't they just advertise more or do more whale watches?? I don't want a rocket center in CB!!!!!!!!!
no offense anyone who wants it
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Post by Joe on Feb 18, 2008 20:45:03 GMT -5
Some more info... The project is headed by Chicago's PlanetSpace Inc., which has a non-monetary agreement with NASA to work on commercial space projects. PlanetSpace has indicated that one of its goals is to send 2,000 tourists into space within the next five years, at a cost of at least $250,000 US a person.
The Canadian government must approve the proposed $45-million investment.The money would go towards purchasing Athena rockets that would propel PlanetSpace aircraft into space. The investment would also fund equipment used at the launch pad site.US$ 250,000 a person...I hope the in-flight meal is good Sounds like another huge American company trying to take over the world.
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Post by Northern_Lights on Feb 19, 2008 7:39:36 GMT -5
I'm not going on one of those, although I DO want to see space- I'llbe an astronaut so I get payed for it!
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Post by CrushedRoses on Feb 19, 2008 20:38:30 GMT -5
The concept of a launch pad in Cape Breton seems a tad bit obscure, although I won't pretend that I know what's going on with their tourism. Hey, if it helps the industry, all the power to them! It's not going to hurt anyone except for those paying for it. (Assuming that nothing bizarre goes wrong... ) I guess it's kinda hard to have a personal objection unless, you know, they're building it in your back yard or something...
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