[RightWhale]

Thanks for the link.

I don't favor Federal grants for much of anything. Even though I believe government's place, one of its proper uses, is to fund science and development on the national level, I don't favor grants to the private sector, nor to State and Local governments. Disaster relief would be appropriate in some cases.

NASA shouldn't have any grants programs except for the usual few scholarships. Contracts for work to be done directly for NASA can go to the private sector or state universities, that isn't a problem. NASA should be putting all its effort into exploring outer space and aeronautics and developing space infrastructure. Passing tech along to the private sector can be done easily through publishing reports. In other words, these outreach programs aren't necessary and could be construed as pork.

[Frank_Discussion]

"NASA should be putting all its effort into exploring outer space and aeronautics and developing space infrastructure."

I believe SATOP is a contractor-adminstered system. NASA's not doing anything other than contractually allowing the Boeings and Lockheeds to use sometimes idle resources to spread tech knowledge. That's how I understand it, anyhow...

"Passing tech along to the private sector can be done easily through publishing reports."

This is not always true. Imagine you have a very good idea, you've engineered it, modeled it in a computer system, but it needs a complex analysis that you do not have the skills to perform or the funds to obtain. SATOP can make that piece of the puzzle come together, using a person that may otherwise will get paid whether they are actually working or not. The aerospace industry goes through feast-or-famine oscillations that are short enough in cycle that layoffs during the famines are counterproductive. SATOP keeps those idle hands a-workin'. Feast cycles don't allow time for SATOP projects in general.

If the contractors are using government funds, let's at least get something for the money.