INTO A GIANT FIGHTING ROBOT!
Posted on 06/25/2004 4:24:54 AM PDT by Momaw Nadon
CNN) -- NASA's vision to explore the moon and Mars moved forward Thursday with a restructuring effort to streamline the agency's bureaucracy and support an independent private space industry.
Sean O'Keefe, NASA's chief, announced the plan to remake NASA into a "sustainable and affordable" organization that was once-again renowned for its innovation, courage and entrepreneurial spirit.
"Transforming the way we do business [requires] very specific efforts," he said. "We have to develop an agility...to respond more rapidly to changing events."
One of the most immediate changes -- which goes into effect August 1 -- will divide NASA's strategic offices into "Mission Directorates" in four areas: aeronautic research, science, exploration systems and space operations.
It also established two new positions -- a chief safety and education officer -- to address those priorities, especially in the aftermath of space shuttle Columbia's destruction. The chief safety and mission assurance officer will report directly to the NASA administrator.
An independent commercial space sector -- which has failed to materialize under NASA patronage -- is also expected to play a major role in future space operations.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Amazing how for so long this agency has insisted that space travel is way too expensive and complicated for private ventures to handle, and should only be left to the government. Now, all of a sudden, it's singing a different tune. They want to work with private industry to make a better NASA.
Sorry, NASA, private enterprise will take it from here.
The word "sustainable" says to me that its over for NASA. Don't forget that the insulation that damaged the fatal shuttle flight was changed to be more environmentally acceptable to the fish in the sea when the tank hit the ocean.
INTO A GIANT FIGHTING ROBOT!
Or
"We need to do something quick before everybody realizes that we've been obsolete and irrelevant since the end of Apollo"
NASA's rotating the tires.
Sorry, you simply have no idea. These changes were pushed from the top. They are being done to accommodate the amibitious programs that NASA will be undertaking in the near future, not the least of which is the manned return to the moon and an eventual manned Mars mission.
Amazing how for so long this agency has insisted that space travel is way too expensive and complicated for private ventures to handle, and should only be left to the government. Now, all of a sudden, it's singing a different tune. They want to work with private industry to make a better NASA.
NASA has always worked closely with the private industry in all aspects of its programs. Where the hell have you been hiding?
Sorry, NASA, private enterprise will take it from here.
That's sorely ridiculous. The best private enterprise has been able to do is reach a suborbital altitude. That's a far cry from doing what NASA does. And until it does what NASA does, you're whistling in the dark, chum.
Let me guess, you work for NASA. And you're wrong, I do have some familiarity with the workings at NASA.
Some, but obviously not nearly enough. If you had more than a passing familiarity with what NASA does, you wouldn't have made even half of the ridiculous claims you did in your previous message. That's a fact, jack.
It wouldn't hurt them to divert some resources to this: a few graphic artists, an engineer for a few days. Are they allowed to think only up to the level of Congress?
I am one of several subcontractors working on the JIMO program and I can tell you that all the branch chief in charge of the specific part of the program I am working on asks us about are, first, budget exercises, and, second, program metrics. Nothing about the technical progress, the discoveries we're making in semiconductor radiation hardness and materials science, nothing about the basic science. But he's the one who should be interested in that and asking those questions, since he's a Ph.D. in physics himself. But he's hung up in the bureaucracy, spending most of his time in meetings and bean counting.
I guess I nailed you on working for NASA, eh? A little sore aren't you?
It's a straw man argument, kid. Look, just admit that you're whistling in the dark (which you are) and let it go.
You called?
What does my working or not working for NASA have to do with your blatantly ignorant statements regarding NASA? Sheesh...are you wanting to argue this matter intelligently or just be belligerent?
If you'd been paying attention several months ago, you'd recall that Bush's announcement of the new space initiative included a significant restructuring of NASA, some results of which Mr. O'Keefe has announced today.
I figured as much. Thanks for confirming.
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