Space Shuttle's Left Wing May Be Damaged

nbc4.com ^ | 20070612 | NBC News space correspondent Jay Barbree

[from occupied ga]

We get something from NASA, even if what we get is beyond the understanding of most of the general public

A widely held false belief - what we get from NASA is nothing more or less than sinecures for engineers and scientists who would otherwise have to compete in the private sector for jobs.

[P-40]

A widely held false belief

You'd have to keep your eyes and mind pretty tightly closed to have such a belief. Buy hey, some people think the WTC was blown up by dynamite.

[from occupied ga]

Buy hey, some people think the WTC was blown up by dynamite.

Undoubtedly the same people who think that NASA adds value commensurate with its cost.

[P-40]

Nope. Just from the people who use technology but have no idea how it works or where it came from. The kind of people that sit on their ass talking about the world’s problems with no suggestion of a solution except that someone somewhere should solve them.

[from occupied ga]

who use technology but have no idea how it works or where it came from.

If you think technology comes from NASA , then you're one of those people.

[P-40]

If you think technology comes from NASA

Quite a bit does, obviously.

[from occupied ga]

You're not thinking this through. $15 billion spent by NASA as opposed to $15 billion spent by the people who actually earned it - where do you get the better return? Does government ever do anything that the private sector can't do at about 10% of the cost? Remember the $500 toilet seats in the pentagon? And WHAT technology do you get from NASA? rocket motors etc. Look at what NASA has been reduced to doing - trolling the elementary schools for projects because they really don't have anything worthwhile do do on their $140,000,000 shuttle flights

Every dollar spent by NASA is a dollar NOT spent by the private sector which is a LOT better at developing technology than government.

[P-40]

Does government ever do anything that the private sector can't do at about 10% of the cost?

The government can often do what the private sector can't or won't do. Frankly, I enjoy being able to use the technology spun off from NASA projects...projects that would not have come about were it not for NASA. I think my tax dollars were well spent.

[norton]

"I’m twenty years older than you and when I was in grade school we got let out of class to gather around a small black and white TV in the school library and watch the launches."

I'll see that and raise you 'standing in the back yard watching for Sputnik'.

[from occupied ga]

Frankly, I enjoy being able to use the technology spun off from NASA projects

You use rocket motors and liquid hydrogen storage tanks? Cool.

[P-40]

Nope. But I do use satellites for everything from communication to weather.

[NCLaw441]

and Tang, don’t forget Tang.

[P-40]

Tang, Vodka.....and something else. That was a party drink at one time....not that I ever engaged in such activities. :)

[andy58-in-nh]

That would be a “Cosmonaut”: vodka, Tang and orange or lemon. Three of those and you’ll feel like a Sputnik.

[P-40]

Thanks! That brings back memories....of *other* people drinking to excess. :)

[from occupied ga]

Nope. But I do use satellites for everything from communication to weather.

And your contention is that there woud be no satellites without NASA?

[P-40]

By now, there may have been. They are useful buggers. But without NASA paving the way by figuring out how to get the job done we’d be way behind where we are today. That is true also for many things you take for granted. Maybe the Soviets would have given us a good deal on the technology from their space program.

[from occupied ga]

But without NASA paving the way by figuring out how to get the job done we’d be way behind where we are today. That is true also for many things you take for granted

Here is our major point of disagreement. I think (without any way to prove it other than comparing how government does stuff and at what cost compared to the free market) that we would have satellites at a lot lower overall cost. but that is the past going forward. NASA is talking about manned exploration again and that is really a money waster.

[P-40]

It is hard to tell what would have happened but satellites are fairly cheap now and there are many options for getting them up there...but only because the bugs have been worked out of the system...mostly.

The technology that will have to be developed to send man on long space flights will be incredible...and will work their way into the commercial markets before the first ship is ever launched.

Some private companies might be able to do things cheaper and better...but they need a reason to try and a large enough profit margin to survive the failures....and there will be many.

[RightWhale]

they need a reason to try and a large enough profit margin

The Treaty has precluded private investment in space development for 40 years and counting.