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'Almost Breathtaking In Its Stupidity' (Homer Hickam on Obama moon plan cancellation)
wvmetronews ^ | 02/02/2010 | Metronews Talkline

Posted on 02/09/2010 8:41:08 AM PST by Names Ash Housewares

"You can't be a great country without doing great things and a great thing would be to return to the Moon and build a laboratory there and open it up to the world," Hickam said on Tuesday's MetroNews Talkline.

Hickam says he's angry about the cut.

"It's really a foolish decision to take away the goal of going back to the Moon. I can certainly see figuring out a better way of doing it, but simply to take away the goal, I think, is so shortsighted and so foolish that it's almost breathtaking in its stupidity."

(Excerpt) Read more at wvmetronews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government
KEYWORDS: bhobudget; bhonasa; democrats; hickam; moonbase; nasa; obama; space
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To: Names Ash Housewares
Come on dude, you can google this stuff as easy as me...

That's my point; you didn't reel off a few, you had to look them up, because it's iffy stuff. Twenty-four products NASA claims as spin-offs" includes 'Portable Cordless Vacuums', for example.
I must tell you I am doubtful we would not enjoy the cordless vaccum without NASA's efforts.

BTW, Tang didn't sell until it was used on Gemini flights, so it became popular because of NASA's use.

41 posted on 02/09/2010 10:50:18 PM PST by skeptoid (Rent my tagline)
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To: skeptoid

Ya can lead a horse to water.

I said people are ALIVE today that would be DEAD.

What do you think I meant by that exactly?

That I just pulled it out of my ass? LOL

A few clicks and you can find it.

Look, if you want to ignore facts and examples easily found.
There isn’t much were going to accomplish here is there?


42 posted on 02/10/2010 12:26:17 AM PST by Names Ash Housewares
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To: skeptoid

12 ways NASA changed your life.

http://www.mainstreet.com/slideshow/smart-spending/technology/11-ways-nasa-changed-your-life


43 posted on 02/10/2010 12:34:29 AM PST by Names Ash Housewares
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To: skeptoid

Health and Medicine - NASA Spinoffs

DIGITAL IMAGING BREAST BIOPSY SYSTEM - The LORAD Stereo Guide Breast Biopsy system incorporates advanced Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs) as part of a digital camera system. The resulting device images breast tissue more clearly and efficiently. Known as stereotactic large-core needle biopsy, this nonsurgical system developed with Space Telescope Technology is less traumatic and greatly reduces the pain, scarring, radiation exposure, time, and money associated with surgical biopsies.

BREAST CANCER DETECTION - A solar cell sensor is positioned directly beneath x-ray film, and determines exactly when film has received sufficient radiation and has been exposed to optimum density. Associated electronic equipment then sends a signal to cut off the x-ray source. Reduction of mammography x-ray exposure reduces radiation hazard and doubles the number of patient exams per machine.

LASER ANGIOPLASTY - Laser angioplasty with a “cool” type of laser, caller an excimer laser, does not damage blood vessel walls and offers precise non-surgical cleanings of clogged arteries with extraordinary precision and fewer complications than in balloon angioplasty.

ULTRASOUND SKIN DAMAGE ASSESSMENT - Advanced instrument using NASA ultrasound technology enables immediate assessment of burn damage depth, improving patient treatment, and may save lives in serious burn cases.

HUMAN TISSUE STIMULATOR - Employing NASA satellite technology, the device is implanted in the body to help patient control chronic pain and involuntary motion disorders through electrical stimulation of targeted nerve centers or particular areas of the brain.

COOL SUIT - Custom-made suit derived from space suits circulates coolant through tubes to lower patient’s body/ temperature, producing dramatic improvement of symptoms of multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other conditions.

PROGRAMMABLE PACEMAKER - Incorporating multiple NASA technologies, the system consists of the implant and a physician’s computer console containing the programming and a data printer. Communicates through wireless telemetry signals.

OCULAR SCREENING - NASA image processing techniques are used to detect eye problems in very young children. An electronic flash from a 35-millimeter camera sends light into the child’s eyes, and a photorefractor analyzes the retinal reflexes, producing an image of each eye.

AUTOMATED URINALYSIS - NASA fluid dynamics studies helped development of system that automatically extracts and transfers sediment from urine sample to an analyzer microscope, replacing the manual centrifuge method.

MEDICAL GAS ANALYZER - Astronaut-monitoring technology used to develop system to monitor operating rooms for analysis of anesthetic gasses and measurement of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen concentrations to assure proper breathing environment for surgery patients.

VOICE-CONTROLLED WHEELCHAIR - NASA teleoperator and robot technology used to develop chair and manipulator that respond to 35 one-word voice commands utilizing a minicomputer to help patient perform daily tasks, like picking up packages, opening doors, and turning on appliances.

Other spinoffs in this area include: Arteriosclerosis detection, ultrasound scanners, automatic insulin pump, portable x-ray device, invisible braces, dental arch wire, palate surgery technology, clean room apparel, implantable heart aid, MRI, bone analyzer, and cataract surgery tools.


44 posted on 02/10/2010 12:35:15 AM PST by Names Ash Housewares
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To: skeptoid

velcro, gyroscopes, defense missiles, guided missile technology for offensive and defensive weapons used by the military. Do you honestly believe that nothing useful has come from all these years of rocket science?


45 posted on 02/10/2010 7:29:39 AM PST by Neoliberalnot ((Freedom's Precious Metals: Gold, Silver and Lead))
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To: Names Ash Housewares
Homer Hickam wrote October Sky that became the film "Rocket Boys".

His entire life, is an example of what is so great about America. And why America must plan to do great things and inspire our young!

Is it surprising that Obama would tear down NASA like he is tearing down the rest of the nation?????

Breathtaking in it's stupidity indeed!

******

I guess when India and China eventually announce plans to put men on the moon in a couple of years, the President of the United States, whoever that would be, will finally say something like this:

"You know, this might be a good time to make plans to send men back to the moon at a time when China and India also plan to send men to the moon, using the expertise of engineers and scientists trained in the United States."

46 posted on 02/10/2010 8:40:08 AM PST by john mirse
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To: Neoliberalnot
Do you honestly believe that nothing useful has come from all these years of rocket science?

Of course not.
I do think that spinoffs and technology transfers are indeed useful, but I'm saying NASA is not the miraculous wellspring of ALL modern convenience.
(I don't want rocket scientists to think they can operate like "climate scientists")

47 posted on 02/10/2010 8:46:03 AM PST by skeptoid (Rent my tagline)
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To: john mirse

If lunar helium 3 for fusion reactors becomes the big energy solution, we will really regret letting China be the leader of that industry!


48 posted on 02/10/2010 8:53:42 AM PST by Names Ash Housewares
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To: jakota

Yes, Russia is now the only way into space. And they’ve announced that we have to pay a premium, too. $50 million an astronaut. They charge space tourists $30M. Nice little mocking slap, there. But, I don’t blame the Russians at all.


49 posted on 02/12/2010 7:31:05 PM PST by Mamzelle (Who is Kenneth Gladney? (Don't forget to bring your cameras))
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