Shuttle Loss Highlights Need for New Space Vehicle

reuters ^ | 2/4/2003 | Andrea Shalal-Esa

[Republic of Texas]

Without a clear mission, like putting a man on the moon and returning him safely by (insert date), there is no point to the space program. Humans need a goal to work torwards, and as of now, I can't say that NASA has a clear and specific goal.

[MrB]

private enterprise will eventually lap the government in space exploration

Yeah, it's a matter of time. Currently, any payoff for the enormous investment is too far out (time-wise).
When this investment-reward time is compressed, then you will see private enterprise surpass the government.

[Poohbah]

There should be a two-or-three-tiered system for shuttles:

Tier 1: Remote operation. Useful for routine satellite launches. Semi-expendable (if it doesn't survive reentry, buy a new one.)

Pluses for ops: doesn't need to be meat-rated. Don't need to pay flight crew.

Minuses: lot of ops need people working onsite (watching experiments, et cetera). Dull as hell.

Tier 2-Low: Manned orbiter.

Pluses: Good for jobs that need people onsite.

Minuses: EXPENSIVE

Tier 2-High: Manned orbital transfer vehicle.

Pluses: reach and fix birds in GEO, reach ISS from low orbits.

Minuses: if you can't get back to shuttle or ISS, you're hosed.

[Joe Hadenuf]

That's why in my opinion, free enterprise will start with fresh, new spacecraft designs and possibly space travel without a conventional rocket as we know it, as conventional rockets, even nuclear powered craft is to slow.

[Travis McGee]

Bruce Willis will have to be the rescue rocket commander though.

[montag813]

Anyone have links to cool new designs for a shuttle replacement?

[Gary Boldwater]

Space "exploration" can be highly profitable if property rights are defined and respected. For example, there's a limited number of geosynchronous satellite slots. Do you think that Direct Dish or Echostar is not making a profit? Is Echostar not making a profit by building its own satellite? Do the makers of rockets and space hardware make no profit? Do the insurance companies that insure space launches make no profit? NASA is one of the few entities involved in space that makes no profit. How much money did the Russians make selling spots aboard Soyuz to civilians? Do you think they more than cover costs?
As to going to the moon or Mars why not make it that he who can maintain a colony there has claim to property rights on said body? How much do you think the moon or Mars is worth in todays dollars? Granted, the profit may not be realizable today, the value would have to be discounted enough to make it worth the investment. It may be worth your time to read current space treaties that forbid this very thing.
Did Columbus set sail to explore new lands, advance the art of sailing or to spread Christianity? No, the incentive was economic.
So how is orbiting the space shuttle considered space exploration? Especially consider that they load the thing with school teachers, politicians (as payback), high school science projects, ashes of the deceased and so on to curry favor with the masses.

[Gary Boldwater]

Where in the Constitution would NASA be justified?

[zlala]

Yes, see reply #46.

[RightWhale]

If you call the Jim Bohannon show tonight with that question, perhaps he can explain about the 'provide for the common defense and the 'in aid of interstate commerce' clauses. Perhaps you will find his explanation sufficiently clear.

[HairOfTheDog]

Launching satellites is profitable, launching people is not.

Our airlines aren't making money flying people from New York to Seattle. No, I don't think private industry can take this on right now and survive, let alone do better.

You can argue to deaf ears on your constitutional grounds, long with not paying income tax, but that is not gonna convince most folk.

[Gary Boldwater]

If you call the Jim Bohannon show tonight with that question, perhaps he can explain about the 'provide for the common defense and the 'in aid of interstate commerce' clauses. Perhaps you will find his explanation sufficiently clear.

Maybe so, but the militarization of space is against current treaties, this last shuttle mission was sold as a SCIENCE mission, so now NASA is a branch of the military (providing defence) and there's no such thing anywhere as "aiding" interstate commerce, only regulating it.

[Gary Boldwater]

This fits right in with what you're saying:

http://www.ari.net/nss/educator/ssse.html

Commerce and defence all in one! I'm glad to see brave people risking their lives and Americans paying hard earned tax dollars for this. Remember - it's all for the kids!

[RightWhale]

the militarization of space is against current treaties

Stationing nuclear bombs in orbit certainly is, but militarization is too vague. There are already military satellites in all kinds of orbits from all countries capable of launching satellites. Did you call Bohannon?

[Gary Boldwater]

Who is Bohannon?

[RightWhale]

Who is Bohannon?

He's a newsguy, the media, but with his own radio talkshow. He's a Liberal, but realistic, an unusual combination. Maybe you can hear his show; it's on every day on over 200 radio stations. He takes calls from the listening audience and it is easy to get in.