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We Don't Need No Stinkin' Technology
Fox News ^ | August 8, 2002 | Rand Simberg

Posted on 08/08/2002 11:43:43 AM PDT by NonZeroSum

Edited on 04/22/2004 12:34:20 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

I got a response to last week's column from the office of Rep. David Weldon, R-Fla., specifically from his staffer Brendan Curry.

He (and the congressman for whom he works) really is one of the good guys, if you're one of the many citizens (and voters) interested in a vibrant space program and getting into space yourself. But it shows how even the folks who sincerely want to make things happen inside the Beltway can often get into mind sets that continue to constrain us.


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


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government
KEYWORDS: launchcosts; nasa; privatespace; spacetransport
An interesting idea--having government make a market to jump start the industry.
1 posted on 08/08/2002 11:43:43 AM PDT by NonZeroSum
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To: anymouse; RadioAstronomer; NonZeroSum; jimkress; discostu; The_Victor; Centurion2000; gcruse; ...
Space ping...
2 posted on 08/08/2002 12:25:53 PM PDT by NonZeroSum
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To: NonZeroSum
It might be in the area of forward-looking statements like on your favorite company's annual report, but if the cost of launch is reduced significantly, the volume of launches will increase. It won't be just big-ticket items flying out there, things like commsats and Mars robots. If the cost is brought so low that an average family could launch their weekend fishing camper now and then, expect everyone to be flying.

It would be a whole different game.

3 posted on 08/08/2002 12:39:59 PM PDT by RightWhale
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To: RightWhale
Let the Chi-coms & EU develope this & steal it from them.
4 posted on 08/08/2002 12:53:29 PM PDT by Digger
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To: Digger
Let the Chi-coms & EU develope this & steal it from them.

Hyundai, Toyota, VW, Honda, get it down into that range and everyone will want one. Buy a special one with big wheels for your teen.

5 posted on 08/08/2002 12:57:04 PM PDT by RightWhale
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To: NonZeroSum
NASA doesn't want really chiep launch technology. If it were developed, they would be out of business.

Security types don't want it either. Lest OBL buy one and fly over and drop a rock on our head.

The only way to do it is entirely private. Which may happen with things like the "X prize".

The idea I like is the shuttle like aircraft with jet engines. It launches on the jets, flys to its space insertion location. Then fills up on fuel and oxidizer from a airborn tanker. Fires up its rockets and does 75 miles up in space, at Mach 10-12 or so. Opens up its payload bay, and kicks out an upper stage, and reenters like the shuttle.

The cool thing is it uses way off-the-shelf techniques, and could be flown daily or better. But, it won't be built, for the above reasons.

6 posted on 08/08/2002 1:14:10 PM PDT by narby
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To: NonZeroSum
I don't think anything has to be done by the government, companies like XCOR have it figured out. Just give them some time to build their vehicles and start flying a lot of passengers to space. No NASA Neccessary (NNN). ;)
7 posted on 08/08/2002 3:17:44 PM PDT by Brett66
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To: Brett66
Not necessary, but the government goosing the market could speed things along.
8 posted on 08/08/2002 3:24:50 PM PDT by NonZeroSum
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To: NonZeroSum
Here's a wacky dreamer's notion. Helium. Imagine a platform hoisted by helium. Getting much closer to the thin air before launch. I know it sounds nutty. But helium is about the cheapest way there is to get something up high. Helicopters can bring people and cargo to and from the platform. Helium containers would be angled away to a safe distance from the launch and the chopper blades.
9 posted on 08/08/2002 7:16:49 PM PDT by Arthur Wildfire! March
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To: Arthur Wildfire! March
Could Ted Kennedy butt produce enough gas to fill a ballon that would lift him? As the bag filled would he get lighter and lighter, or heavier and heavier? I am not good with physics.
10 posted on 08/08/2002 7:34:37 PM PDT by Leisler
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