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Posted on 09/14/2009 4:31:44 PM PDT by KevinDavis
The Augustine committee’s findings are good news for commercial launch providers. Most of the committee’s exploration scenarios would rely on the private sector to carry both cargo and crew to low Earth orbit. The committee recognized, however, that there is risk in such reliance, so they urged the development of new and stronger incentives for the launch industry. Former NASA administrator Mike Griffin offered a blunt assessment of this commercial approach, calling it “irresponsible” in a widely-read memo after the report’s release last week and, in earlier remarks to the committee, declared that the private sector shouldn’t be entrusted with our nation’s sole capability for human spaceflight.
(Excerpt) Read more at thespacereview.com ...
These new space companies need to make assembly/launch facilities IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN AWAY FROM ANY TERRITORY, thereby avoiding all regulation.
I thought they should aim to meet the needs of paying customers, not just NASA
Other than NASA and the Russians, nobody has come close to meeting the lifting needs to support a the station in LOE much less any other viable commercial enterprise. Putting space tourists on a Soyez means nothing, but is a good way for the Russians to get their hands on hard cash.
We have the technology available, but nobody except NASA has been able to meet NASA’a spaceflight needs...
What does NASA “need” anyway? Considering that this country has spent the labors of our children and grand children and great grandchildren, if anyone wants to explore space they can dig into their own pockets and pay for it. Right now, we’re all broke.
Private has a way to go before being able to meet these lift needs.
I have a feeling that within most of our lifetimes, Google will be pushing rockets into outer space with massive payloads.
Also, the moon would make an awesome place for a billboard. Also, and I’m not making this up, look for massive billboards to be placed in orbit. Imagine taking a stroll on a warm summer night and instead of seeing stars, you will see billboards for the latest iPods and shaving cream.
Instead of Anti-Satellite Warfare we would have Anti-Billboard Warfare between Coke and Pepsi...Although bikinis over Mecca would be a lol PSYOP.
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