Japan launches satellite to study black holes

Hope that this new satellite will succeed in gathering a lot of data. Black holes are fascinating.

Still, I'd prefer the government stopped spending my taxes on this.

would the money be spent better on poverty or spy satellites because of perceived fears of attack.

Japan launches satellite to study black holes

Must not have traveled very far, Kasumigaseki is pretty close.

I wonder did NK protest the launch with the UN?

In a country literally swimming a a sea of red, is this necessary?

Still, I'd prefer the government stopped spending my taxes on this.

would the money be spent better on poverty or spy satellites because of perceived fears of attack.

Sure. Let's forget about science and about better understanding the universe that surrounds us in the name of current economies and humans wars... not. If everyone thought like that, we would still be thinking that the Earth is flat.

ZnK should protest big time and impliment sanctions on Japan.

Now this is a good reason to launch rockets.

It's nice some countries still do scientific explorations.

The only black hole Japan has to study is in the finance ministry where the tax money disappears.

One of the great things about Japan is that she does not cut on her scientific research programs even when the economical prospects are not brilliant. It is, unfortunately, a widely spread, quasi-pavlovian reflex even in supposedly advanced countries like Britain or France to use scientific budgets as adjustment variables. And it is stupid because it does comprise seriously the future while sparing very little money in view of the tiny fraction of the overall state expenses that science represents.

I know that some people here think that this is a waste of money. But you never know. 150 years ago two obscure English physicists were working with wires and magnets, and they invented electricity. Look how that has changed our lives. Or the Italian who learned to throw radio waves over a distance. He invented radio (will, not just him). So you never know.

"English physicists were working with wires and magnets, and they invented electricity"

Electricity cannot be invented!!!

I would think that the satellite was launched to study the brains of JT posters that think science is "a waste of their tax money".

That said, I'm glad JAXA is progressing it's R&D nicely.

Electricity is invented? Really? Waste of tax payer yen? Really, Invention of radio? Really, wow I'm amazed at how many geniuses are in one blog and filling us with this wise information. About the only worthwhile comment read so far has been the black hole study, but I have to wonder which black hole, the ones out in space of the black hole in my pocket and empty wallet supporting such programs in the name of science. As long as it benefits the lives of everyone, it's a good thing for Japan.

While you're down that black hole, look for my tax money. What good is knowing about black holes now? Don't say because we have electricity thanks to research, etc, etc. Again, show me a link between knowing about black holes and how society is the better for it?

Sure. Let's forget about science and about better understanding the universe that surrounds us in the name of current economies

Yeah but Japan has racked up more than one quadrillion yen of public debt already. Better to get healthy first, rather than exacerbate the problem further.

I'm not saying this is a waste of money. I'm saying that Japan is not in a position to be able to afford everything, and it ought to prioritize. This project unfortunately comes lower down the list, IMO.

Sorry everyone got so picky about my English. You get the idea right? Based on these projects, lots of derivative technologies get developed that are useful in everyday life.

You're right gokai, but many people are unable to see how research into our universe on a macro level can help us on a micro level.

That's awesome news! Space-related missions and research should never ever be cut in budget, and realistically should be increased exponentially

This is awesome news! I love that my taxes paid for this mwahahahaha!!!! Id be more worried about all the taxes paying for the one use olympic stadiums hahaha! Space exploration is more important to me than hosting a sports competition^,^

Great…It can start by looking into the "black hole" that is the economy.

Events like this AND the Olympics inspire people, especially the young.

What are the similarities and differences between the Japanese launch and the recent NK launch?

Perfect, study black holes during day time while recharging the satellite batteries.

Study whale co-ordinates and ocean marine life during night time.

Send a relief team under UN banner and quietly fish out all the marine lives and whales from the ocean and bring them back to the Japan.

Give me a break! Japan has bigger serious problems to deal with other than studying of black holes in space. Leave this job to NASA.

Hope it goes further than that.

This is proof that Japan is moving forward! Sports are fine but without science, they would be still running around naked like the first games in Greece. If we have to cut then it is the not needed public works projects and making the Americans pay for the bases they enjoy in Japan.