"Derek Lyons" wrote in message
...
"bob" wrote:
The whole argument about faster better cheaper and moore's law touches on
a
space history point that should be noted.

In the 1960's computer and space science were very much linked, and the
new
and demanding needs of the space program (and military) were a large part
of
the cutting edge/driving force of computers and many other technologies
(robotics, imaging, etc)

Um, no. The space program drove such technologies little if at all.

Um, no
see the first paragraph of
http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/...ibmrd2001C.pdf


But even then, we all remember wishing when a deep space probe reached
its
target it could have the camera or computer technologies that had
developed
since its launch.

Um, no. Except for the long cruisers like the Pioneers and Voyagers,
essentially no space probe had computer technology change across it's
life.

um, no. refer to moore's law. every space probe that took more than two
years, (from lock down to reaching the target) by definition was
significantly behind by the time it arrived on target.


I think the argument could be made that the equiment needed to make a
credible
space probe could be assembled from components purchased at radio shack.

Um, no. There is no evidence in support of such a notion.

other than the launch vehicle, exactly what would not be available? Cameras,
computers, gyroscopes... perhaps all that is missing are control thrusters.
My point is that the technology is much more accessible, and certainly more
familiar.


What NASA has left that no one else has is the expertise of assembling
robust
systems that can handle the extremes of space. They no longer have a
monopoly
on the cutting edge hardware.

Um, no. NASA never had a monopoly on cutting edge hardware.
Generally they stayed right behind the leading edge.

the point is that they were weilding the leading edge by doing things that
had never been done before, and required a high tech application to succeed.
Not a monopoly perhaps, but combined with the defense department needs,
space and aeronautic engineering were the most exacting engineering
challenge of the 50's and 60's. To ignore the effects of massive amounts of
money pumped into both endevours is to miss a major point.

When I say space age technology to my son, he looks blank. When I say
hottest new product, he gets excited....

Which suggests more than anything that your son watches little to no
TV, as the marketing term 'space age technology' is as prevalent, and
as meaningless, as it has been for thirty years and more.


Um, no. He simply watches different shows than you. Such advertising
language is only used when the target market is us baby boomers. when my son
thinks space age technology, he thinks of the space shuttle accidents and
failed mars probes. advertisers that are targeting him wisely shy away from
such imagery

..