Bush mulls major new space effort

[Imran Siddiqui]

It's human nature to explore. You may as well spend the money sooner rather than later.

I think we should double NASA funding at least, and get a few more explorations up there .

[connorkimbro]

I think further exploration with the intent of establishing a colony on the moon (and eventually, set our sights on mars) is the way to go!

However, I think private enterprises will do it better, for cheaper, so if we REALLY want to get serious about this space exploration stuff, let them do it, and then the government can waste it's (err, my) money on other things that will make the liberals happy too.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I think private enterprises will do it better, for cheaper, so if we REALLY want to get serious about this space exploration stuff, let them do it

The main problem is finding a private enterprise to DO IT! Big costs, little reward... why would anyone want to get into that?

[connorkimbro]

The main problem is finding a private enterprise to DO IT! Big costs, little reward... why would anyone want to get into that?

the last time i did any looking into this online, it seemed there were several that were interested . . .

anyway, i'd phrase it more like "big costs, big risks, potentially HUGE rewards." i don't think it's even possible to judge how possibly huge they might be.

i'm pretty sure that all the government would have to say is. . . "ok, you may. last one there is a rotten egg" and they'd be off and running.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Tripledoc
NASA must make an expedition to Europa and see if there is any life in the ocean under the frozen ice surface. If there is anything can happen.

Totally agree. A landing on Europa is mandatory!

[Ned]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov


Can you really not understand this?

Hint: It's a lifeless rock covered in dust. What's to explore?

Dear lord, you'll support anything Bush comes up with, won't you?

Boris, I was in grade school when the Russians and Americans raced to launch the first sattelite into space. We lost. I remember the next race was to orbit the first man. We lost. Our failures in the space race were a contributing factor in Kennedy's election. Kennedy then promised boldly to place a man on the moon and return him safely before the decade was out. Now THAT was inspirational. THAT was was glorious. What pride and ambition it created in America. It gave us all hope for the future and for mankind.

If you were not there to experience the prior humiliations and the greatness and hope that Kennedy's speech gave us, you can never understand how I feel about this.

[MRT144]

sometimes you gotta be second to drive you into first

[Ned]

MRT144, American hate being second. I can tell you that for a fact because of the dynamics of the 1960 election.

[Verto]

If this has been mentioned or spoken about before, I apologize in advance..

I just heard on the radio in a 'teaser/hook' that Bush was expected to hold on the anniversary of the Wright Bros. flight, or something along those lines, a speech over his plans for the space program, including an announcement that we will land on the moon again, soon.

[MRT144]

I know Ned, but what im getting at is that sometimes you need to fail before you can succeed. Sometimes you need a kick in the pants to get you to where you need to be. Would we have pressed so hard had we been first in space, first to orbit? maybe not.

[Ned]

MRT, you are obviously right. And, there is no doubt that our current return to the moon has more to do with the Chinese space program than with the failure of the Shuttle program.

[Q Classic]

i really do hope bush means it. but like i said, looking at his previous scientific intiatives, i'm doubtful about his will to do this.

this is another good thing to come out of the chinese space program. now if only korea would develop one, and if only japanese naxa could get off the ground...

[Verto]

Originally posted by Q Cubed
i really do hope bush means it. but like i said, looking at his previous scientific intiatives, i'm doubtful about his will to do this.

This would have nothing to do with science. This is all about making sure those upstart Chinese wannabes know their place.

[Ned]

Verto, space exploration has a lot to do with science because it pushes the technological envelope. We have no idea now how to stay in deep space for extended periods of time due to radiation. Solving that problem will undoubtedly bring many technological benefits. We also do not know how to make machines extremely reliable so as to last as long as necessary in deep space. Solving that problem will help increase the lifetime of machines generally. (Teflon was a space lubrication invention.)

Did you know that communications with deep space probes caused a general increase in the reliability of all communications due to error correction techniques.

I could go on and on. But it is overwhelmingly clear that the push for manned space exploration will have tremendous benefits for science and technology.

[Verto]

It was just a joke. And, evidently, a bad one if no one got it.

I will make sure to use smilies in abundance, from now on.