[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.

[RightWhale]

The aerospace industry goes through feast-or-famine oscillations

I am one of many who know that first-hand. It always seemed like a huge waste of highly skilled talent. I mean, here is a pool of people who can do almost anything, and they spend half their working life pounding the pavement. This won't change, though, unless the anachronistic two-year Federal election cycle is eliminated.