Field test of the Astrobotic Red Rover in a quarry.
Posted on 03/26/2014 5:38:22 AM PDT by lbryce
John Thornton is CEO of Astrobotic Technology. He contributed this article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.
When the XPRIZE Foundation announced the Google Lunar XPRIZE in 2007, Astrobotic Technology chairman Red Whittaker declared his intention to compete on the first day. Since then, we have worked methodically on the technology and operations for the $20 million Grand Prize. We have approached this from the outset as an opportunity to build a business.
With only a few lunar landings since Apollo, there remains a deep cultural belief that they are extraordinarily difficult and expensive. Bold, risky pursuits are called "moon shots." Indeed, NASA estimated that the Apollo program cost $170 billion in 2005 dollars — about $28 billion for each of the six landings.
Field test of the Astrobotic Red Rover in a quarry.
The only way NASA is getting there under “dear leader” is through a muslim outreach program.
Problem is.. . we have no manned space program anymore, as NASA’s role is reduced to assuaging the egos of muslims.
Money we just don't have anymore. How about we build a border wall and tend to our earthbound national needs first?
If the author is expecting anything substantive in the way of contributions from NASA, he has a long think coming. Likewise, proposed efforts like this that cannot stand on their own merit garnering entrepreneurial non-government funding are not worthwhile in the scheme of things.
First time, government paved the way - all of that drive and initiative was politically driven and the expertise that impelled it to success has been wasted on bureaucracy and politics. Today, NASA is nothing more than a flunky mouthpiece for Obama’s Muslim initiatives, AGW and a myriad of other Democrat wet dreams.
I wouldn’t give NASA a plugged nickel.
Reminds me of the Soviet Venus probe from the old TV series, “The Six Million Dollar Man.”
Maybe NASA will prototype a flying carpet and launch from the well of the 12th Imam.
We have no US Government space program. We have private efforts however.
If you have the bucks, you can buy a space to live in orbit from a contractor.
Newspeak/Newthought has revealed the space program is racist; in that there’s way too many palefaces showcased.
We received huge benefits in expanding knowledge and real time space experience and experimentation.
This knowledge is priceless and unfortunately we have abandoned it to the Chinese.
Take that Luddite attitude right to another 3rd world cesspool-or to the white house- where it belongs
upyourz
KOOLAID ALERT!! ROFLOL What a total load of:
Sure! We could use our budget surplus to do this...
oh, wait.
Looks a bit like Wall-E as well.
If private enterprise is going to do this, to save a ton of money and inconvenience, it is best that they first send nuclear powered tunneling robots. Pretty much existing and ordinary technology.
This allows them to avoid much of the cosmic and enhanced radiation on the surface, vacuum, extremes of heat and cold, and the very abrasive Lunar dust; it makes their missions cumulative, so that every mission can bring more new equipment and supplies; and the more they tunnel, the more they can do. Plus, much can be done before people arrive and after they leave. Finally, when the people are there, they will have abundant energy for heat, air and water, powered by the nuclear power of the robot.
Because it is cumulative, the more they do, the more they can do. Eventually even building a launch site for other space missions of all sorts.
Then maybe NASA should be providing money for the private efforts? Is there anyone who doesn't think private business can't do the job faster, cheaper, and more efficiently?
This beats the stage show op-ed years ago of the execrable leftwing hate-monger Tom Lehrer, who said the Apollo program would “put some clown on the Moon”. Thanks lbryce. Extra to APoD.
Gee, ya don't think it was the reorientation from from space travel to social welfare giveaways, affirmative action, free lunch programs, ad nauseum, do ya ?
I went to Walmart to look for these the other day and couldnt find any. By nuclear powered do you mean radiothermionic generator powered or nuclear reactor powered. maybe I looked in the wrong department.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.