From stmx3:
Stuf4 wrote:

I would be interested to hear how astronauts convince their families
that doing laps around the planet is *necessary*.

If I were an astronaut and I were saying goodbye to my family just
before launch, I could think of lots of reasons why it will be fun.
Lots of reasons why it will be beneficial. Lots as to why it will be
important.

...but *zero* reasons as to why it would be _necessary_.

Examine your own line of work. Suppose you die in a traffic accident on
your way to work. Do you consider that to be a necessary risk? The
supreme sacrifice for your company?

If I was riding a donor cycle without a helmet (or *with*, for that
matter), then yes, that was an unnecessary risk.

If I was driving a car, and that I opted to pay for leather upholstery
instead of anti-lock brakes, then yes again, that was an unnecessary
risk.

There are safer ways to get to work (a necessary activity, for any
self-reliant person).

Or do you take it as an accepted risk needed to put food on the table?

(Again, the mode of transportation chosen is important to take into
consideration.)

If so, you could lessen the risk by moving out to the country, or make
any number of lifestyle changes all geared to minimizing the risk. But
maybe your job is glamorous or cool...maybe you get to associate with
astronauts all the time and that justifies the risks you take.

By extension, the astronauts justify the risk they take for their own
personal rewards. Perhaps it's the fame and notoriety, the prestige,
the chance to experience something that few people on earth will ever
know...

You are arguing matters of degree. I understand your point. Once
again, I'd like to know how an astronaut sells this view to their
family when kissing them goodbye. Consider how distressed John
Glenn's family members were about him taking a "joyride" in the
shuttle.

....and they are all fully grown adults who are no longer dependent on
him.

They assume a larger risk than you (or I) to achieve something greater,
and are able to justify it to themselves (and their family). Of course,
I would be incorrect if astronauts are resigning from NASA in droves
following the Columbia accident. I wonder how many mission commanders
turned down the next flight before they settled on Eileen Collins.

"Something greater". Here is the crux of the argument. Certainly
going four wheeling on the Moon is "something greater". Where you and
I differ here is the risk/benefit ration of LEO flight. It has to be
a great view, for sure.

But please consider all the test pilots who never bother sending NASA
an application because they are *not interested*. It's not worth it
to them. Lot's of fun can be had within the confines of the Earth's
stratosphere.

I've heard a story that an Apollo moonwalker advised his son against
applying to NASA. He said that it's much more fun to just fly jets.
His son became an F-16 pilot (and was married to a woman who flew with
the USAF Thunderbirds).

Tangentially...

I have a friend who is a Navy test pilot who made the Navy cut and is
preparing for his NASA interview for this next astronaut class. In my
last conversation with him, I chose not to ask him how his family
feels about the whole thing. If he gets selected, I will be very
happy for him. And I hope his family will be as well. And I hope he
has a safe and long career.


Perhaps you should warn him about the dangers of spaceflight or ask him
to receive therapy before he needlessly risks his life.

I'm sure his wife is doing plenty of that already.

(And I'm sure that she is also doing her best to represent the
interests of their not yet born children.)


~ CT