# Spaceport to be established on Earth. Convince us it belongs in Country X.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [September 18, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087 "2012-09-18T17:59:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/61 "2012-09-19T19:50:42Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#):
>
> I understand – when the aliens arrive they will read this thread and be pissed that I joked about going to war with them. So pissed, they will DESTROY us!
[Evil!Skald]
Well, destroy _you_ at least. But as my plans for Wales require that you remain alive and reasonably healthy between now and 19 October 2014, I have taken measures to shield you from most threats.
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### Author:  [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/62 "2012-09-19T19:56:54Z")
If the Mayans have taught us one thing, it’s that we’ll all be dead by the end of December.
But it may turn out that the Mayans haven’t taught us anything. I’ll let you know in January… maybe.
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### Author:  [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/63 "2012-09-19T21:34:51Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#):
>
> I think the US is off the list from the start – global warming denial is practically national policy, payment by “solving global warming” is going to be proclaimed as a bad deal.
If you look at what countries are doing instead of listening to speeches, then you might notice that that the per capita production of CO2 is at the lowest level in 50 years in the United States. Germany, meanwhile is building new coal power plants.
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### Author:  [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/64 "2012-09-19T22:25:48Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#):
>
> If you look at what countries are doing instead of listening to speeches, then you might notice that that the per capita production of CO2 is at the lowest level in 50 years in the United States. Germany, meanwhile is building new coal power plants.
Doesn’t really matter, if the alien offer is rejected as having no value. Which it would be, if certain politicians were in power at the time.
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### Author:  [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/65 "2012-09-19T22:28:47Z")
> [@Remember\_me](#):
>
> You’re looking for a stable and neutral country?
> My vote would be for Switzerland. I am actually surprised, that no one has offered it before. Sure, they would have to look hard for the required space for the spaceport, but it is not, that people can’t be forced to moved to make room for the construction of important infrastructure.
> But if you want stability and neutrality, than you can’t ignore Switzerland.
Crash, after crash. after crash…those mountains could get tricky in Winter.
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### Author:  [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/66 "2012-09-19T22:31:06Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#):
>
> Doesn’t really matter, if the alien offer is rejected as having no value. Which it would be, if certain politicians were in power at the time.
The aliens are offering the global-warming-averting tech to the entire world, not to the host nation of the spaceport. They’re offering additional high tech to that nation to pay for the lease.
The global-warming aversion-tech offer need not be entirely magnanimous, by the way. If the aliens are hoping to establish a long-term partnership, they might see it as being in their rational self-interest.
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### Author:  [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2012, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/67 "2012-09-19T22:42:35Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> I think the existence of humanoid aliens would give weight to the intelligent design branch of creationism.
How so?
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### Author:  [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/68 "2012-09-19T23:35:40Z")
> [@Chimera](#):
>
> If we’re building a Space Elevator for this purpose, then it needs to be along the equator. . . .
This is the conventional wisdom…but…is it absolutely true? What if you built the space elevator just one degree north of the equator; the thing would lean just a little, but why wouldn’t it be stable? What if you built it 45 degrees north? It would lean southwards at 45 degrees. It’d look damn goofy, and add engineering stresses that aren’t necessary. But is it impossible?
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### Author:  [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/69 "2012-09-19T23:45:28Z")
Where should it go? _USA! USA! USA!_
Why!? Because _USA! USA! USA!_
Also Nasa.
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### Author:  [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/70 "2012-09-19T23:50:21Z")
Northern Ireland! We’d need our toughest negotiators to hold the line against the aliens and nobody would be tougher than a Protestant Loyalist. They might even capture the alien planet for God and Ulster.
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### Author:  [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/71 "2012-09-20T01:00:52Z")
or maybe we should just say no thanks and offer them the moon for the time being while we sort our petty human differences out.
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### Author:  [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/72 "2012-09-20T01:25:51Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> I think the existence of humanoid aliens would give weight to the intelligent design branch of creationism.
Designed by Pleiades Biologicals, Inc. We were an alpha released by a disgruntled employee.
> [@Skald the Rhymer](#):
>
> But as my plans for Wales require that you remain alive and reasonably healthy between now and 19 October 2014, I have taken measures to shield you from most threats.
Little did you know the aliens’ mission is to save the Wales.
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### Author:  [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/73 "2012-09-20T01:38:26Z")
> [@Trinopus](#):
>
> This is the conventional wisdom…but…is it absolutely true? What if you built the space elevator just one degree north of the equator; the thing would lean just a little, but why wouldn’t it be stable? What if you built it 45 degrees north? It would lean southwards at 45 degrees. It’d look damn goofy, and add engineering stresses that aren’t necessary. But is it impossible?
You should read _Fountains of Paradise_ by Arthur Clarke. It’s about the concept, and it’s a good read. The idea is that the top of the elevator is a geosynchronus satellite which by virtue of its orbit _appears_ to hover above the same spot on the ground 24/7. Then you just drop anchoring cables to the ground from the satellite, and build elevator cars which can haul themselves up and down the cables. So, yes, with this concept, the elevator has to be above the equator, since that’s the only line along which you can have geosynchronus orbits.
Somebody else (maybe Larry Niven?) expanded on this idea, to building a bunch of these elevators, and then to build a connection/framework between the elevators, and you end up with a geosynchronus orbiting ring around the Earth.
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### Author:  [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/74 "2012-09-20T02:55:12Z")
> [@LC\_Strawhouse](#):
>
> Northern Ireland! We’d need our toughest negotiators to hold the line against the aliens and nobody would be tougher than a Protestant Loyalist. They might even capture the alien planet for God and Ulster.
If the Space Pope is found by our ships, how will they react? (Rednecks would try to eat him) Ooh, ooh, ohh! Paint the ships Paisley.
Based on my past experience building space-related bases (cite: X-COM), I would usually put it in Central Europe or Eastish US/Canada. I wouldn’t be able to protect the entire world from aliens, but I would think good thoughts about the Australians as they’re invaded.
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### Author:  [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/75 "2012-09-20T22:26:32Z")
The Sahara.
Near the equator.
If there is a ship crash, or the elevator goes kablooey, the parts will fall on the desert.
Beanstalks generate electric power, which Africa needs.
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### Author:  [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/76 "2012-09-29T01:20:38Z")
Eritrea/Ethiopia Region
[ul]
[li]It’s more equatorial than (most of) the previous entries.[/li][li]There’s desert and sea for crashing vessels or parts to fall in – though we would politely request that they not use either for jettisoning their bilge (the way airlines used to do when approaching the airports).:eek:[/li][li]People have been fleeing the region (due to drought and famine) for decades. It’s almost empty, so let’s clear the space and use it for something else.[/li][li]Since the aliens’ transportation technology far outpaces our own, it’s reasonable to think their safety & security technology will as well. I’d think once they’re told “Here’s where to put the station” they wouldn’t have the slightest bit of trouble keeping the area or the host country safe from attack using something they consider relatively innocuous. Like I consider water to be rather common and simple, but when I put the dog’s bowl in the middle of a a plate of water, ant’s can’t seem to get to the kibbles.[/li][/ul]
> [@Saltire](#):
>
> …they’d probably do better with a Panama-style setup, where we allow them to carve out a whole new country in equatorial Africa. The operation of the spaceport would create it’s own stability and economy, and people would come from all over the world to populate the region with the kind of folks they need.
As humans do every couple of years for Olympics gatherings and did every decade for World Expositions and World’s Fairs, thousands of corporations, companies, and individuals will flock to the area, investing time, money, and labor into preparations. This will be a great investment in revitalizing the region – it really really needs it badly after all the problems they’ve seen down there.:mad:
> [@](#):
>
> Multilingual. Assuming a lack of universal translators we’re going to need to pick up some alien language pretty quickly and a city where 2 or more languages are regularly used is going to have citizens who are more comfortable with that adjustment.
Natives to the region are accustomed to speaking multiple languages (not necessarily English) and adding another shouldn’t be too difficult for their minds (though we humans might not have the structures for correct pronunciation).😕
> [@](#):
>
> I think other countries are also planning spaceports.
The Daleks already have a Marine National Park there.:rolleyes:
> [@](#):
>
> I think the existence of humanoid aliens would give weight to the intelligent design branch of creationism.
Oh yes, because clearly humans were designed by the aliens, in their image (unless we discover otherwise, like in District 9) – but that won’t resolve the religious debate. That will just add to it, with some humans adopting the aliens’ religious perspectives and some digging their heels in deeper to say “Yeah, but the God of Abraham, Jesus, and Mohammed made the aliens, as well!” It would be interesting to see if the humans will be able to convert some aliens…:dubious:
> [@](#):
>
> If the Space Pope is found by our ships…
Now THERE’s an idea! If the debate above is resolved to Religion’s disfavor, then perhaps we could just let the aliens retask the suddenly-useless sites of Mecca, Vatican City, and maybe even Holy Land Experience, The Ark Experience, or the Heritage USA theme park that’s already gone to hell.😛
> [@](#):
>
> The US. Specifically, Vegas.
Yes! That would be like a quarantine!
After all, whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.🆒
(Note, however, the Pahrump is not Vegas)
> [@](#):
>
> If they look like T’pol many might not mind the trouble [of reproducing].
T’Pau was ancient even then. T’pring was a hottie, though. Lieutenant Saavik was pretty nice, too. I wouldn’t want to reproduce, but imitating human mating rituals with her --you know, dinner, dancing, groping, getting slapped in the face-- might be enjoyable as part of her scientific research.
> [@](#):
>
> I really don’t think the US would be the way to go for an alien civilization looking to give a government high tech that won’t be misused.
Yeah, I think you’re right. In fact, I think it would probably be best to consider the offer a test. I think, rather than to squabble about who gets the spaceport (or is burdened with it), the only way to pass would be to say, "No thanks. We’re not yet ready for that. Give us another century and try again. Thanks for the great offer, though!
—G!
People of the Solar Federation:
We have assumed control
We Have Assumed Control!
. --Peart, Lee, Lifeson (RUSH)
. _The Temples of Syrinx_
. 2112
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### Author:  [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2012, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/77 "2012-09-29T05:14:09Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#):
>
> You should read _Fountains of Paradise_ by Arthur Clarke. It’s about the concept, and it’s a good read. The idea is that the top of the elevator is a geosynchronus satellite which by virtue of its orbit _appears_ to hover above the same spot on the ground 24/7. Then you just drop anchoring cables to the ground from the satellite, and build elevator cars which can haul themselves up and down the cables. So, yes, with this concept, the elevator has to be above the equator, since that’s the only line along which you can have geosynchronus orbits.
>
> Somebody else (maybe Larry Niven?) expanded on this idea, to building a bunch of these elevators, and then to build a connection/framework between the elevators, and you end up with a geosynchronus orbiting ring around the Earth.
I haven’t read the Niven, but I’ve read both the Clarke and the Sheffield. Two very good books. But…
Yes, you can only have geosynchronous orbits above the equator. But why does the elevator have to be vertical? Obviously, that’s the most advantageous solution, and the engineering is easier, but… Why couldn’t the elevator “lean” in toward the geosynchronous module?
I know that the usual beanstalk involves an additional length going out beyond geosynchrony, to counterbalance the affair by providing outward tension. I know that that would have to point straight away from the earth, and thus couldn’t be part of a model that is not based at the equator.
But is the further outward segment absolutely necessary? Could the elevator simply end at the geosynchronous point? In that case, why couldn’t we have a “leaning tower of space?”
If the further outward segment is absolutely necessary, then, cool, I see where I’d have to be wrong.
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### Author:  [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2012, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/78 "2012-09-29T13:36:21Z")
> [@Grestarian](#):
>
> The Daleks already have a Marine National Park there.:rolleyes:
Where?
---
### Author:  [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/79 "2012-09-29T14:42:53Z")
I think we are unnecessarily conflating the idea of an equatorial space elevator (and YES, it needs to be equatorial based upon actual physics) and the need for \*\*Skald’s \*\*proposed ETs for a land base on Terra.
\*\*Skald \*\*has left us mere breadcrumbs to determine the underlying desires and needs of his humanoid aliens. They can have sex with us. That is useful data. That presumes quite a bit about their anatomy. They are likely bipedal humanoids with two arms and a single head. Most likely mammalian with the appropriate accouterments thereof. In fact, based upon **The Rhymer’s** description of the ETs as essentially Vulcanoid, we can assume quite a bit about their needs.
But, the devil is always in the details.
Do they eat the same food as we do? Are they vegans? Do they ethically object to killing and consuming prey? Do they have deities to whom they pray? Is this planet, our own mother Terra, some special place?
Yes, there is a wormhole, a portal to the stars in orbit around Sol. I wonder why do these wonderfully equipped entities need to be mired in a gravity well as deep as we are. Luna would make a much better place for a base.
Humanity has deliberately placed our major satellite in a special state of international trust (much like Antarctica). This was done during the Cold War primarily to preempt any nation from establishing a military base there. But the Outer Space Treaty still exists even now decades later.
If the peaceful aliens from Planet Z (you never named them, **Skald** \) are at all aware of what kind of creatures we are, then they wouldn’t have even asked the question. They would have informed us that they were establishing a base of operations in our system probably in some asteroid that they moved into close proximity with the wormhole.
But that is not the scenario. The ETs, these Vulcanoids, apparently like Terran gravity and weather and they probably like the way our more attractive specimens look and feel. So, we are left with a place on our planet’s surface that approaches the requirements set out by the OP.
Kiribati looks good. I was going to suggest Johnston Atoll (part of the United States Minor Outlying Islands), but I suppose I was merely giving in to my affection for my homeland (the US, not some godforsaken bit of land barely above the rising tide of the oncoming ocean.)
That brings to mind the promises that the aliens made to us about global warming. Is this technology going to be implemented and effective quickly enough to avoid the inevitable inundation of Venice? Will Miami become a tourist destination for scuba enthusiasts? Will we still have to build dikes to avoid the loss of all of our coastal cities?
Bangladesh? Kiribati?
Honestly, I do not have enough information to make a rational decision.
---
### Author:  [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaceport-to-be-established-on-earth-convince-us-it-belongs-in-country-x/635087/80 "2012-10-02T00:03:20Z")
> [@levdrakon](#):
>
> ```
> [Originally Posted by **Grestarian** [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/images/buttons/viewpost.gif](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=15538626#post15538626)
> The Daleks already have a Marine National Park there.:rolleyes:]
>
> ```
>
> Where?
It’s right [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahlak_Marine_National_Park) – OH!
Sorry. I misread that…:dubious:
–G!
Well they call me the breeze!
I jus keep movin’ on
. J.J. Cale (performed by Lynrd Skynrd)
. _Call me the Breeze_
. Freebird: The Movie
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