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When Shenzhou and SpaceShipOne beat Shuttle...



 
 
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  #21  
Old July 5th 03, 03:05 AM
Brian Thorn
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Default When Shenzhou and SpaceShipOne beat Shuttle...

On Thu, 03 Jul 2003 00:04:16 +0200, "M. Scott"
wrote:

Even worse is
the fact that the low-cost operations of these private space vehicles
will blow a hole in NASA's arguments that "space is difficult." Space
may be difficult the way NASA does it, but it doesn't have to be
difficult. And private companies are about to expose that fact.


The danger with such pronouncements ("space isn't hard, NASA just
makes it hard!") is that these other players haven't done it yet. When
they do, *then* the "Space isn't hard" arguments can flourish. Until
they do, I think it wise to hedge your bets. The odds suggest
SpaceShipOne and the others will fail. Advanced aircraft often do...
and SpaceShipOne, etc. are no different in that regard.

Brian
  #22  
Old July 5th 03, 03:07 AM
Brian Thorn
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Default When Shenzhou and SpaceShipOne beat Shuttle...

On Thu, 03 Jul 2003 00:56:36 +0200, "M. Scott"
wrote:

I completely agree. But ignoring your "competition" doesn't make the
facts disappear. The TV screens will show taikonauts and test pilots in
space, but not astronauts.


The first crew of Shenzou will almost certainly be congratulated by at
least one American in space... aboard the International Space Station.

Brian
  #23  
Old July 5th 03, 02:55 PM
Christopher M. Jones
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Default When Shenzhou and SpaceShipOne beat Shuttle...

"Brian Thorn" wrote:
On Thu, 03 Jul 2003 00:56:36 +0200, "M. Scott"
wrote:

I completely agree. But ignoring your "competition" doesn't make the
facts disappear. The TV screens will show taikonauts and test pilots in
space, but not astronauts.


The first crew of Shenzou will almost certainly be congratulated by at
least one American in space... aboard the International Space Station.


It's rather hard to imagine how the Chinese could out PR
NASA unless NASA wanted them to. Certainly their first
flight would be covered very widely, but NASA can
schedule live interviews with its astronauts on ISS any
time it chooses.

  #24  
Old July 8th 03, 01:56 AM
EAC
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Default When Shenzhou and SpaceShipOne beat Shuttle...

"M. Scott" wrote in message ...
Hi everyone:

It's looking increasingly likely that the space shuttle will not fly
again until next year. And therefore both the Chinese and Rutan
(and/or some other X-Prize teams) will fly before NASA does.

I'm curious as to how you think this will play out. I'm sure NASA will
be quite embarassed; the real question is how will NASA -- and the U.S.
public -- react?

-M. Scott


NASA currently is under pressure and the USoA citizens are currently
being deprived of their morale by 'them', I don't know if 'they' wish
to put more pressure more by making more non NASA and foreign
organizations to launch people into orbit before NASA launch another
manned orbital flight.

Anyway. Should anyone launch a person before NASA, like that it
matters? If people said that orbital flights are routine, then it
shouldn't matter at all.

Fortunately, the USoA citizens have already pretty much taken a no
care attitude. So even if a non NASA launch happened, even if it's
another foreign one, the negative effect on the USoA citizens' morale
wouldn't be much,


As for NASA itself,

Well... I don't know. Currently 'they' wish to reform NASA, I don't
what kind of excuse that 'they' would use to reform NASA.

Besides, it doesn't matter on

it's not like Rutan or anyone else isn't funded by 'them', either
directly or indirectly, And NASA is also funded by 'them'.

Remember 'their' goal here is:

- NASA reformation, to adjust it to 'their' 'needs'.

- Demoralization of the USoA citizens, plus the whole world.
  #25  
Old July 8th 03, 03:43 AM
Greg D. Moore \(Strider\)
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Default When Shenzhou and SpaceShipOne beat Shuttle...


"EAC" wrote in message
...
NASA currently is under pressure and the USoA citizens are currently

being deprived of their morale by 'them', I don't know if 'they' wish
to put more pressure more by making more non NASA and foreign
organizations to launch people into orbit before NASA launch another
manned orbital flight.


I think that you over-rate the amount of morale boost NASA gives the nation.

Anyway. Should anyone launch a person before NASA, like that it
matters? If people said that orbital flights are routine, then it
shouldn't matter at all.


Umm, in case you hadn't noticed, someone already HAS launched people into
orbit since STS-107.


Fortunately, the USoA citizens have already pretty much taken a no
care attitude. So even if a non NASA launch happened, even if it's
another foreign one, the negative effect on the USoA citizens' morale
wouldn't be much,


Considering it's alraedy happened, I think you're right. It doesn't matter.


 




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