Shuttle woes spell trouble for Hubble

Newsday ^ | 08/12/05 | BRYN NELSON

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Yep....The Hubble is precious!

[beef]

Nope. Can't say that I do.

[beef]

"Private industry can eventually handle it more efficiently, safer, and cheaper."

I am not that impressed with what Dick Rutan et al did. When they can put one in orbit and bring it back, then I'll be impressed.

Unless some fundamental breakthrough in physics is made, I am of the opinion that manned space travel will never be routine.

[Nonstatist]

Private industry can eventually handle it more efficiently

What's "it" ? Certainlty you dont mean space science. Private industry could care less about "space science". .IMO, I'd rather the govt look at the stars than run the TVA or the Post Office. But thats just me.

[billbears]

I am not that impressed with what Dick Rutan et al did. When they can put one in orbit and bring it back, then I'll be impressed.

I believe eventually they will one day. The Wright Brothers didn't just come down to Kitty Hawk and fly in one day did they? It was over numerous steps before heavier than air flight was achieved. However, whether or not private industry can or will reach space, it is not the business of the national government, nor was it ever.

[billbears]

IMO, I'd rather the govt look at the stars than run the TVA or the Post Office. But thats just me.

Yes that's you. Glad to see some 'conservatives' still won't let go of their pet projects, even if it means returning to limited government. FWIW, the Post Office is covered under the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 7), TVA not covered, and wasteful spending on the spacebus and a telescope definitely not covered.

[Nonstatist]

FWIW, the Post Office is covered under the Constitution

I guess the Constitution isnt perfect, is it? :)..

Actually, Research spending of less than 10 billion a year into the origins of the universe makes at least as much sense at 200 billion spent on federal highways, I would think. People forget that the huge Ponzi scheme known as Social Security cost about 30 times as much as NASA. I'll gladly take my poison in small doses!

[billbears]

Actually, Research spending of less than 10 billion a year into the origins of the universe makes at least as much sense at 200 billion spent on federal highways, I would think.

In fact, neither make sense. Eisenhower was a failure as a leader and instituting federal highways under national defense schemes was a lie. The Constitution calls for the establishment of post roads and nothing else. Any other roads that need to be built should be done by the states, or more preferrably by private industry

People forget that the huge Ponzi scheme known as Social Security cost about 30 times as much as NASA. I'll gladly take my poison in small doses!

When you have justified just one cent being spent unconstitutionally you have opened the door for it all to be spent. Again, neither are worth it and should be shut down as of yesterday. Of course don't expect anyone in Washington, except perhaps Ron Paul, to grow a backbone and suggest it. They're too busy being catered to by PACs and the like

[Nonstatist]

Any other roads that need to be built should be done by the states, or more preferrably by private industry

Agreed. If we could pare the federal budget down to its Consitutionally mandated size, I'd be quite content. There would probably even be enough money donated privately to finance science satelites, who knows? Unfortunately, the trend is the other way.

[tanknetter]

What a bunch of crap

Hardly. Are you familiar with the asset tracking system built for NASA about 10 years ago by PWC and KPMG because they had something like $3 BILLION worth of untracked assets?

Also, are you familiar with the set of on-hand "structural spares" NASA was able to pull off their shelves in the wake of the Challenger loss? The ones that ended forming the basis of the Endeavour?