To Boldly Go ... [to the Moon, Mars, and beyond!]

SpaceRef.com ^ | 1.26.04 | Dennis Wingo

[ambrose]

[ambrose]

ping.

[bonesmccoy]

"The concept of "Faster Cheaper Better" for spaceflight projects was nobly conceived but often not implemented very well. The concept originated in Silicon Valley and is the heart and soul of the revolution that continues to shake the world and transform the way we live our lives."

In originating in Silicon Valley, the author unwittingly gives away the FACT that we in Southern California clearly understood for 10 years.

When Barbara Boxer was elected to the US Senate, the LA Area lost an advocate seat for the local aerospace defense contractors. Boxer killed the space industry by supporting massive capital infusion (and much hocus-pocus accounting) to the Bay Area.

We can blame the decline and destruction of our manned space capabilities on Boxer and Clinton.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

"Today the contractor world is very conservative by nature and is reluctant to bring new technologies to bear on spaceflight efforts because of the fear of embarrassment if something fails."

This is not like Columbus sailing out of Genoa on a great seafaring mission. Space is a HOSTILE environment, full of solar radiation and cosmic energy. Then there's the energy required for the humans. Tons of food and water. As much as I would like to see human exporation of the solar system and beyond, the cost of travel appears a severely limiting factor.

[al baby]

First Shuttle liftoff scheduled from Pad B. Launch set for 3:43 p.m. EST, Jan. 22, slipped to Jan. 23, then Jan. 24, due to delays in Mission 61-C. Launch reset for Jan. 25 because of bad weather at transoceanic abort landing (TAL) site in Dakar, Senegal. To utilize Casablanca (not equipped for night landings) as alternate TAL site, T-zero moved to morning liftoff time. Launch postponed a day when launch processing unable to meet new morning liftoff time. Prediction of unacceptable weather at KSC led to launch rescheduled for 9:37 a.m. EST, Jan. 27. Launch delayed 24 hours again when ground servicing equipment hatch-closing fixture could not be removed from orbiter hatch. Fixture sawed off and attaching bolt drilled out before closeout completed. During delay, cross winds exceeded return-to-launch-site limits at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility. Launch Jan. 28 delayed two hours when hardware interface module in launch processing system, which monitors fire detection system, failed during liquid hydrogen tanking procedures. Explosion 73 seconds after liftoff claimed crew and vehicle. Shuttle flights halted while extensive investigation into accident and assessment of Shuttle program conducted.
18 Years ago on january 28 never forget

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I got a call Sunday from someone who is going to run against her for the Senate.

But is there a briefing today regarding Mars?

[Brett66]

I doubt NASA will break out of the cost-plus contract mode, but there's reason to believe they would give other companies, other than Boeing/Lockmart,a chance. I think Spacex will play a significant role in this new direction of NASA.

[ambrose]

Times are a changing... Ahnold was at JPL for Opportunity's landing. Hopefully he'll push for SoCal.. that's where he'll need votes in '06...

[ambrose]

Toni Casey? I got the same call.

[ambrose]

the cost of travel appears a severely limiting factor.

How much was your long distance phone bill 25 years ago compared to now? How much was a 16k Apple II back in 1977?

[Zuben Elgenubi]

I meant the cost of exposure to the energy of space (extremely hazardous to humans) and the cost of payload lift for food and water intake for the astronauts.

[ambrose]

We'll develop equipment to deal with radiation issues, the cost of food/water can be dealt with in all sort of creative manners.. what, I don't know..

but ask a man in the 3rd century if it would be possible to talk to someone on the other side of the planet with an object that could fit in his palm, and see what kind of answer you might get...

[Centurion2000]

SeaDragon blows the current cost models for lifting into earth orbit to hell and back.

We should be building about 10 of those. Pop 5500 tons of spacecraft into space at 60-600$ / kg ... then use a man rated rocket to stick a few capsules of astronauts up there.

They assemble the ship from the pieces and pick up a reload of consumables by a last SeaDragon and away they go.

5500 tons is a lot of ship. Use nuclear propulsion or even a small orion drive and we have the solar system.

[NormsRevenge]

To the Moon and Beyond Bump

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Alluding to earth-based comparisons will not serve, whether it is the third century or the twenty-first. This is not Columbus leaving Genoa on a great seafaring mission. Space is a hostile environment.

I applaud your enthusiasm and hope.

However, once humans leave the sanctuary of the Van Allen belt, we are in a completely different reference frame. There is nothing on earth that can compare with the control of radiation effects in space, save a nuclear power plant.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I believe it was Ms. Casey!

[markman46]

also don't forget Jan 27, 1967 the apollo 1 fire

[Zuben Elgenubi]

You have the future of mechanical space travel at your fingertips and I agree with you. Still leaves the problem of radiation on humans. How do you block the effects of the high energy system? Even within the protective caccoon of the Earth (atmosphere, ozone, van allen, etc), the sun burns your skin within minutes and it's 93 million miles away.

[Centurion2000]

Still leaves the problem of radiation on humans.

Concrete ... and a 'storm shelter' structure inside the craft. KI plus anti radiation drugs will have to take up the slack but astronauts are going to lead hard lives with radiation until we get enough infrastructure in space.

[bonesmccoy]

Rosario Marin is a great candidate. She hasn't lost statewide elections like Bill Jones has.

I was really surprised when Ahnold's people chimed in on Jones' candidacy. Still, I like Bill Jones...it's just obvious that he hasn't pulled it off yet on his own.

There were 9 AM JPL briefings, but I was not monitoring.