The Failure of NASA: And A Way Out

SpaceDaily.com ^ | May 30, 2003 | Philip K. Chapman

[MikeD]

I was in Mission Control when Neil Armstrong announced that the Eagle had landed. The applause was unexpectedly muted as we were all overwhelmed by the significance of the moment. Nobody had any doubt that Tranquility Base was the first step in an expansion into space that would drive human progress for centuries to come. We had of course all seen the 1968 Kubrick/Clarke movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the facilities depicted there seemed entirely reasonable. In our lifetimes, we expected to see hotels in orbit, translunar shuttles operated by commercial airlines, and settlements on the Moon. Only the alien monolith was questionable.

None of this has happened.

Despite cutbacks, NASA has spent a total of $450 billion since Apollo 11 (adjusted for inflation to 2003 dollars). That very large sum was more than enough to fund the developments that Wernher von Braun predicted for the end of the 20th Century, but we have not even started on any of them.

If it had been spent wisely, as seed money to stimulate commercial development, we could have established a growing, self-sustaining extraterrestrial enterprise, offering opportunities for thousands of people to live and work off Earth - but the sad truth is that we have less capability in human spaceflight now than in 1970.

[MikeD]

I think his solution will never fly (too many politics involved). I like the idea of an advisory committee helping industry take over space management.

As an aside, what exactly have been the big innovations in commercial aviation since NACA was absorbed by NASA? Have there been any besides the 747?

MD

[Carry_Okie]

The big innovations in commercial aviation have been in engine design and performance: they are quieter, cleaner, and more efficient. Such are the fruits of oligopoly.

[swarthyguy]

we expected to see hotels in orbit, translunar shuttles operated by commercial airlines, and settlements on the Moon. Only the alien monolith was questionable.

None of this has happened.

So did I.

America will bootstrap her space program when we get a wakeup call; Chinese orbiting the earth ir eveb landing someone on the moon.

Then we'll realise the folly of abandoning close to a 30 year head start in manned space travel.

[DPB101]

Can anyone name the 7 astronauts lost in the Shuttle disintegration? Bet not 10% of Americans can name one. Chicoms in space will elicit similiar disinterest. History doesn't repeat itself. The 1960s alarm mixed with excitment over Ruskies in space will not be repeated over ChiComs in space. The attitude will be: let them spend the money for PR stunts.

[RightWhale]

I posted this same article half an hour ago, and I searched first. Just for the record. No match found.

[RightWhale]

Chinese orbiting the earth ir eveb

Ir eveb? It will take way more than ir eveb to pry Americans away from their Playstations and pickup trucks and take an interest in space exploration.

[swarthyguy]

I know. It's a waste of money. There's nothing out there anyway and we have more pressing needs here on earth. /sarc

[swarthyguy]

I hope you're wrong. But would be not be surprised if the apathy you cite was to asset itself.

[DPB101]

Mentioned on another thread there is a way to get the public interested: sex. How much do you estimate the first zero gravity porno film would make?

If they ChiComs were to hint they were going to do that, Hollywood liberals would empty their bank accounts to build a permanent orbiting production facility with live internet video feeds.

[RightWhale]

Phil Hendrie discussed this several days ago. The first film would be a huge hit. After that first one, such vicarious thrills would lose their attraction.

[DPB101]

Until the Iraq war, I didn't know Hendrie had a serious side to him. Assumed he was a liberal. He's an excellent speaker. Wish he did have a serious show.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I've got rights to the domain name!!

[RightWhale]

Same here. He did an amazing job as a reporter, and I have been hooked ever since. Sorry, Bohannon. Not many comedians can get a chuckle out of me, but Phil does now and then, and the first time that happened my dog looked at me like I might have been suddenly taken ill.

[cogitator]

Mentioned on another thread there is a way to get the public interested: sex. How much do you estimate the first zero gravity porno film would make?

Read "Stardance" by Robert Silverberg, if you haven't already.

[MikeD]

The big innovations in commercial aviation have been in engine design and performance: they are quieter, cleaner, and more efficient. Such are the fruits of oligopoly.

OK, so there have been some refinements. Admittedly, passenger capacity is limited by demand and speed is limited by the ban on SSTs. Still, airliners appear to be essentially the same planes as 40 years ago. Maybe it's just my perception.

MD

[demlosers]

I sorta want to see the Chinese do the ir evab and militarize ir evab...maybe the alarms will sound then.
I wonder if we need the competition tied to a military threat to get are arses in gear?