STS-133: Space Shuttle Discovery's Final Launch - Live Thread

NASA ^ | 02/23/2011 | n/a

[fso301]

would you like to back up your statement

I'm not sure what you mean?

[markman46]

read article 1 section 8

[Liberty Valance]

*spaceplacemarker*

[buccaneer81]

How are these people, who will be in orbit for something like a week, going to protect us from a future orbital attack? They couldn't even be reasonably be expected to prevent an attack while they are in orbit.

It's called research.

[buccaneer81]

NASA is just another huge government boondogle.

Sorry that you drank the liberal Kool-Aid. At less than one half of one percent of the federal budget, NASA has returned far more than that in R&D, spinoffs and basic scientific knowledge. The liberals hijacked it in the '90s for "Earth studies," and we all know what this gang of Commies has done to it.

Space is a potential theater of war. We need a presence and expertise. If I had my way, NASA would be turned over to either the USAF or USN, and private space ventures would be given tax breaks to get them into a competitive environment.

[buccaneer81]

and the incompetent engineers don't murder another crew.

Are you always such an idiotic putz?

[PA Engineer]

Space is a potential theater of war. We need a presence and expertise. If I had my way, NASA would be turned over to either the USAF or USN, and private space ventures would be given tax breaks to get them into a competitive environment.

Ditto.

[buccaneer81]

I said their activities are unconstitutional.

In that case so are those of the FBI, CIA, NSA, AEC, USAF (not mentioned in the Constitution while the Army and Navy are,) NOAA...

[Calvin Locke]

One astronaut account I read said that women's hair caused
problems. On one mission, it jammed a movie camera (pre-cheap
digital) "Houston, the camera malfunctioned..."

[onedoug]

I think we took a Russian satellite out of orbit once.

Shhh....

[ml/nj]

In that case so are those of the FBI, CIA, NSA, AEC, USAF (not mentioned in the Constitution while the Army and Navy are,) NOAA...

Most everything the government does is outside of the scope of the Constitution. But the USAF is not. It used to be called the the Army Air Corps until 1947, I think. Certainly changing its name would not make it unconstitutional. The Constitution is (or was) about what functions the Federal government could get involved in, not what the government decides to call things.

Do you know why the FBI is the FBI; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that is? When it was formed many argued (correctly, IMHO) that a Federal police force was unconstitutional, and that the police function was a State responsibility. So the proponents said that the new agency would only assist local police forces with their investigations. They lied.

ML/NJ

[united1000]

That would be great if you got NASA tv:( I’ve still got comcast.

[DocRock]

Any Freepers heading over to watch the launch? I usually view from the banks at North Port Canaveral.

[jboot]

"I don’t try to persuade folks about the benefits of NASA anymore."

There is no point in arguing with the Luddites, and they won't be impressed by any technology transfers or other benefits of space exploration. Their problem with NASA is philosophical, not fiduciary. Many of them won't be happy until we are all again wearing animal skins and living off the land.

[jboot]

"...there’s still the final launch of Endeavour"

Any idea when this is scheduled? I've never seen a launch, and this is my last chance.

[DocRock]

DocRock will be on the North Port Canaveral shore, facing north. If any Freepers are in the area, I'll be riding a plasma blue Kawasaki Ninja, black riding jacket sporting the bright yellow Gadsden Flag on the back.

[SE Mom]

I;ll be there for the next one- this time I’ll watch from my backyard :)

[Not now, Not ever!]

It appears that all Astros are on board, Comm checks proceeding.

[Not now, Not ever!]

Weather is 90% go.

[Not now, Not ever!]

Proceeding with crew module close out.