Slashdot is running a story about the risk of annihilation of single planet species.
http://science.slash...1453221&tid=160
Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle astronaut John Young, due to retire in two weeks, says that the human species is in danger of becoming extinct: 'The statistical risk of humans getting wiped out in the next 100 years due to a super volcano or asteroid or comet impact is 1 in 455. How does that relate? You're 10 times more likely to get wiped out by a civilization-ending event in the next 100 years than you are getting killed in a commercial airline crash.' He says that the technologies needed to colonize the solar system will help people survive through disasters on Earth. Young has written about this topic before in an essay called 'The Big Picture'." In related news, the Shuttle overhaul program is on track for a May 2005 launch.
Included links:
Conversation With John Young
Ex-astronaut says moon's resources may help Earth
http://www.chron.com...l/space/2951406
The BIG Picture
Ways to Mitigate or Prevent Very Bad Planet Earth Events
http://space.balettie.com/Young.html
Task force: Shuttle launch on track
NASA has completed half of changes suggested by investigation
http://www.cnn.com/2...ttle/index.html
