Another failed government undertaking, around far longer than it should be due to an inability to admit fault.

From the article:

"NASA's three shuttles are scheduled to be grounded in 2010, once the international space station is constructed. Postponing the launch past July, might cause schedule pressure in three or four years for completing the space station, Griffin said."

I'm pretty sure Griffin is a douche bag, but in this case he may actually be right. Just get it done and worry about the shuttles later while it is still possible to finish the construction on time.

A failed government program that is costing a tiny fraction of our budget. Has lasted 25 years with the same basic design, has produced inovations that have dramaticly advanced our lives.

I would hate to be a part of that program.

They still haven't fixed the foam casing problem.

At this rate, they're just begging for another tragedy.

A failed government program that is costing a tiny fraction of our budget. Has lasted 25 years with the same basic design, has produced inovations that have dramaticly advanced our lives.

I would hate to be a part of that program.

Posted by TaoWarrior at 2006-06-18 12:10 AM | Reply


Yeah it isn't like this almost Half a TRILLION DOLLAR Investment?? into something that hasn't netted us not even one NET gain but insurmountable losses. It's unreal.

Larry

Larry,

One half of one trillion dollars? Did you just make this up?

Even if it is accurate, do you really believe that not one dollar has been recovered?

That thing is so old and a piece of junk, it's only a matter of time before there will be another disaster. Why aren't they taking pro-active work in developing a better one is beyond me. We need a means of upgrading and maintaning our military satelights.

Most of the benefits of having a space program aren't realized in dollars but are derived from the scientific and technological gains that occasionally ( or in time) translate into economic and social benefits.

The International space station is but one (albeit one of the largest) projects that NASA is involved in. While it could be argued that (as of today) it is one of the least successful in terms of scientific discoveries made, it isn't completely useless. For example, one of its benefits is that it gives nations with space programs a reason to cooperate.

...Office of the Chief Engineer recommended against flying until further design changes are made to the external fuel tank.

I recommend placing a giant, tight fitting, teflon condom over the external fuel tank. Condoms are 99% fail-safe. :)

The space shuttle is never going to be 100% safe. If you break it down to its most basic function: It goes from 0 mph to 17500 mph to 0 mph. That action (with current technology) is inherently dangerous, just like a top-fuel drag car going from 0 to 300 in 5 seconds is dangerous.

IMHO NASA, the federal government and the American public in general, overreacted to the tragedy of Columbia. Sure it was a national tragedy and probably avoidable and my heart goes out to the victims and their families. However, these are very risky undertakings and disasters are going to happen. Every attempt to minimize accidents should be made, but don't expect a 100% success rate, over the long haul, it's unrealistic.

Anyway that's my 2 cents worth.

Go! Baby! Go!

The space program is the future of the human race.

Let's not act like NASA is just a "small fraction" of our budget. They'll be getting $16.8 Billion in 2007."

Actually, Joe, on a budget of $2.77 trillion, $16.8 billion is just one-half of one percent of the total budget.

I would suspect that most people would consider one-half of one percent a "small fraction."

Hans

"...you can't say that small portions of that budget are small amounts of money."

So why don't we start with the $9 billion missing in Iraq? Before we start decimating the value-added budget of NASA.

Hans

"I would suspect that most people would consider one-half of one percent a "small fraction."

But a "small fraction" of $2.3 Trillion is a lot of money. That's all I was saying.

"So why don't we start with the $9 billion missing in Iraq?"

Typical Iraq deflection. Why can't we analyze the nearly twice as much that goes to NASA every year on its own accord? I don't agree with the war in Iraq, and I'd like to get that money back too, but just because money is being wasted elsewhere doesn't mean that NASA spending is justified.

"just because money is being wasted elsewhere doesn't mean that NASA spending is justified."

No weather satellite pictures for you.
And better get rid of that computer, too, imbecile.

Data,

Your being much to nice. I say take away his running shoes too. Oh and god forbid he ever need any advanced medical techniques. CAT scan MRI nope not for good ol Joe. Artificial heart, kidney dialysis forget it Joe hope your in great health.

And most importantly NO TANG.

I'm not claiming the shuttle program did not produce spinoff technologies. But let's face it: that wasn't why the shuttle program was created.

And moreover, it was created to help build an international space station... which also has really no purpose.

How about setting practial goals? Like a base on the moon? Can you imagine how great it would be to have a telescope observatory on the moon? It would put the Hubble to shame, and I'm a huge Hubble fan.

There will ALWAYS be problems to solve, and those solutions can be applied to other areas. So this silly concept that we have to "make" work for ourselves is unrealistic and stupid.

Given the relative pittance we spend on NASA, it's benefits both in terms of technology, discovery and national pride far outweigh its costs.
OUur forays into the next frontiers of science are America's pyramids, America's great wall, and Americas's medieval cathedrals which will be viewed with awe and appreciation by all future generations.

An international space station has lots of uses.

I'm all for a base on the moon but we will need a habitable space station to truly take advantage of space. Ultimatly a space station would make moon habitats much easier. A ship to go to the space station and then a different ship to hop over to the moon.

The interesting thing about technology is make work always leads us to something interesting.

Well, if "national pride" and "something interesting" isn't worth $16.8 Billion, I don't know what is.