Leadership in Space - Speech by NASA Administrator Michael Griffin

NASA HQ, www.spaceref.com ^ | December 6, 2005 | Michael Griffin

[tricky_k_1972]

For many years, our country has been rightly recognized as the world leader in the exploration and use of space, and in developing and deploying the technologies that make space leadership possible.

But, as they say, that was then and this is now. We cannot rest on nor be satisfied with past accomplishments.

Thanks Mike, couldn't have said it better myself.

[tricky_k_1972]

We can either project our vision of the future of space exploration or allow some other nation to project theirs. Our choice is simple, Lead or Follow.
Space Ping! If you want on or off this list please Freepmail me. My Home Page

[EagleUSA]

And the trashbags in Congress keep taking money away from NASA funding because it is more important TO FUND ILLEGAL ALIENS...(and the list goes on).

[Nateman]

Bolders thrown from the moon would hit the Earth with the force of atomic bombs. Good reason to be there first.

[tricky_k_1972]

Follow the link above to my home page. I think you'll see I agree wholeheartedly.

[Nateman]

I got that idea from Heinlien myself. (The moon is a harsh mistress)

[manwiththehands]

Blah blah blah we still haven't figured out why the foam keeps coming off the shuttle's fuel tank blah blah blah blah blah.

[Dan Evans]

Bolders thrown from the moon would hit the Earth with the force of atomic bombs. Good reason to be there first

I wouldn't base our military policy on fears from a science fiction story.

[Dan Evans]

The country needs people like Christopher Columbus and we need patrons like Queen Isabella. We sure don't need more incompetent bureaucracies like NASA. They are not what they used to be.

[GeronL]

'Leadership' and NASA haven't belonged in the same sentence for a decade or so

[GeronL]

whatever happened to the idea of making ENDER'S GAME into a film??

[darth]

I know EXACTLY why the foam is coming off the tank. During the Clinton Admin the EPA declared the adhesive and foam blowing agent used on the Shuttle to be ILLEGAL because they used CFCs and therefore (theoretically) could harm the ozone layer. NASA could have applied for a waiver, but Dan Golden, the Democrat NASA Administrator had his lips surgically sutured to Al Gore's butt. The replacement foam adhesive is INFERIOR and it will take a lot of money to develop and test a suitable replacement. Since the Clinton Admin CUT NASA's budget every year, there was never funding to fix the problem. Consequently, we lost a $3B Shuttle and 9 astronauts. There's even more to the story, but it takes too long to tell.

[darth]

ICBMs and nukes used to be science fiction too. Heinlein pointed out simple physics; the Moon is the HIGH GROUND. Rocks shot from Luna arrive on the ground at around 9-10 kilometers/sec. At that velocity each ton of rock has the destructive power of over 10 tons of TNT. The Chinese have excellent scientists and engineers and they can run the equations just as well as we can. Furthermore, they are being more farsighted than we are. Eventually, humans will get to Luna and use the resources. The nation that does that can dominate Earth if they like.

[tricky_k_1972]

Hey darth what did you think of this speech?

I'd like to hear some comments on this speech especially, I really think Mr. Griffin is the best head NASA has seen in decades.

[tricky_k_1972]

'Leadership' and NASA haven't belonged in the same sentence for a decade or so.

I'd give you that, only I might add it has been even longer.

What I'd really like is comments on this speech, for instance do you think that Mr. Griffin is showing leadership in this speech?

Do you agree or disagree with what he say's here, if not what in this speech specifically did you not like?

[darth]

Mike Griffin is the BEST that NASA has had in a very long time. He and his crew are trying to re-ignite real space exploration. A lot of corporate rice bowls are being broken in the process. He needs more support from the public and politicians.

[KevinDavis]

I like Mike.... The fact that he is asking for private industry involement tells you something about him...

[tricky_k_1972]

I like Mike It would be great to have some shits made up with that on it and maybe "Lead or Follow" and Ad Astra.

[tricky_k_1972]

Um that should have been Shirts, when will I ever learn to proofread, Mumble.

[KevinDavis]

Take a look at this shop : http://www.cafepress.com/spacefuture