Shuttle launch and Toys in Space!

Well, NASA has done it again! They spent billions to launch a damned movie
toy (a plastic light saber) into space. What a wonderfull use of public
funds. Meanwhile, we pay over $3.00 for a gallon of gas and nearly $4.00
for a gallon of milk.
When is NASA gong to get serious and take the shuttle money and devote it to
something useful? Like a manned Mars mission? I'm sick and tired of seeing
the shuttle go up and watch astronauts gobble water bubbles and m&m's for
the camera and the oh so gleeful handshakes as they enter the space station
(for the N'th time) I mean, come-on, when does this stuff end?
A shuttle mission is so expensive that it absolutely demands that the entire
mission be devoted to dead serious science and not politically correct
stunts in order to satisfy some dumb need to have this or that country, or
a particular gender, or some movie, represented in space.
Eric

"Eric" wrote in message
...
Well, NASA has done it again! They spent billions to launch a damned movie
toy (a plastic light saber) into space. What a wonderfull use of public
funds. Meanwhile, we pay over $3.00 for a gallon of gas and nearly $4.00
for a gallon of milk.
When is NASA gong to get serious and take the shuttle money and devote it
to
something useful? Like a manned Mars mission? I'm sick and tired of seeing
the shuttle go up and watch astronauts gobble water bubbles and m&m's for
the camera and the oh so gleeful handshakes as they enter the space
station
(for the N'th time) I mean, come-on, when does this stuff end?
A shuttle mission is so expensive that it absolutely demands that the
entire
mission be devoted to dead serious science and not politically correct
stunts in order to satisfy some dumb need to have this or that country, or
a particular gender, or some movie, represented in space.
Eric


As with most "government" agencies or those funded as such - they seem to
have an easy time adopting the "All work and no play - makes for a dull,
boring day".

What the hell do they care - this country's deficit is so deep already and
going for broke.

There was talk not long ago about scrubbing those missions - maybe if we
called our Congress reps - and bitched about the wasteful spending - which
they themselves are immune to and party to - they might nip that part in the
bud - at least.

All in all - probably not worth even discussing aside from "topic" material
here.

radiosrfun wrote:
There was talk not long ago about scrubbing those missions - maybe if we
called our Congress reps - and bitched about the wasteful spending - which
they themselves are immune to and party to - they might nip that part in the
bud - at least.

Assuming it *was* a waste, which it isn't. What rock did you two jaded
unimaginative fools crawl out from under anyhow?


--
Greg Crinklaw
Astronomical Software Developer
Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA (33N, 106W, 2700m)

SkyTools: http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html
Observing: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Comets: http://comets.skyhound.com

To reply take out your eye

Greg Crinklaw wrote:

radiosrfun wrote:
There was talk not long ago about scrubbing those missions - maybe if we
called our Congress reps - and bitched about the wasteful spending -
which they themselves are immune to and party to - they might nip that
part in the bud - at least.

Assuming it *was* a waste, which it isn't. What rock did you two jaded
unimaginative fools crawl out from under anyhow?


Well there's an intelligent response. Now I really understand why you think
it wasn't a waste.

Eric wrote:
Greg Crinklaw wrote:

radiosrfun wrote:
There was talk not long ago about scrubbing those missions - maybe if we
called our Congress reps - and bitched about the wasteful spending -
which they themselves are immune to and party to - they might nip that
part in the bud - at least.
Assuming it *was* a waste, which it isn't. What rock did you two jaded
unimaginative fools crawl out from under anyhow?


Well there's an intelligent response. Now I really understand why you think
it wasn't a waste.

I have already had my say on this more times than I can count. I am not
going to waste my effort arguing with people who sit in the easy chairs
criticizing things they don't know anything about (based on what's been
said). Sorry.

--
Greg Crinklaw
Astronomical Software Developer
Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA (33N, 106W, 2700m)

SkyTools: http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html
Observing: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Comets: http://comets.skyhound.com

To reply take out your eye

radiosrfun wrote:

"Eric" wrote in message
...
Well, NASA has done it again! They spent billions to launch a damned
movie toy (a plastic light saber) into space. What a wonderfull use of
public funds. Meanwhile, we pay over $3.00 for a gallon of gas and nearly
$4.00 for a gallon of milk.
When is NASA gong to get serious and take the shuttle money and devote it
to
something useful? Like a manned Mars mission? I'm sick and tired of
seeing the shuttle go up and watch astronauts gobble water bubbles and
m&m's for the camera and the oh so gleeful handshakes as they enter the
space station
(for the N'th time) I mean, come-on, when does this stuff end?
A shuttle mission is so expensive that it absolutely demands that the
entire
mission be devoted to dead serious science and not politically correct
stunts in order to satisfy some dumb need to have this or that country,
or a particular gender, or some movie, represented in space.
Eric


As with most "government" agencies or those funded as such - they seem to
have an easy time adopting the "All work and no play - makes for a dull,
boring day".

What the hell do they care - this country's deficit is so deep already and
going for broke.

There was talk not long ago about scrubbing those missions - maybe if we
called our Congress reps - and bitched about the wasteful spending - which
they themselves are immune to and party to - they might nip that part in
the bud - at least.

All in all - probably not worth even discussing aside from "topic"
material here.

Actually, I have already written both of my Senators and my one congressman.
Did you see the "Mars Underground" program on TV? - very interesting.
If people havnt seen this, its worth digging through the guide for, I wont
try to detail it here except to say it compares NASA's plan for Mars at
$450 billion to Richard Zubrin's plan at $50 billion - watch it if you can
find it

"Eric" wrote in message
news
radiosrfun wrote:

"Eric" wrote in message
...
Well, NASA has done it again! They spent billions to launch a damned
movie toy (a plastic light saber) into space. What a wonderfull use of
public funds. Meanwhile, we pay over $3.00 for a gallon of gas and
nearly
$4.00 for a gallon of milk.
When is NASA gong to get serious and take the shuttle money and devote
it
to
something useful? Like a manned Mars mission? I'm sick and tired of
seeing the shuttle go up and watch astronauts gobble water bubbles and
m&m's for the camera and the oh so gleeful handshakes as they enter the
space station
(for the N'th time) I mean, come-on, when does this stuff end?
A shuttle mission is so expensive that it absolutely demands that the
entire
mission be devoted to dead serious science and not politically correct
stunts in order to satisfy some dumb need to have this or that country,
or a particular gender, or some movie, represented in space.
Eric


As with most "government" agencies or those funded as such - they seem to
have an easy time adopting the "All work and no play - makes for a dull,
boring day".

What the hell do they care - this country's deficit is so deep already
and
going for broke.

There was talk not long ago about scrubbing those missions - maybe if we
called our Congress reps - and bitched about the wasteful spending -
which
they themselves are immune to and party to - they might nip that part in
the bud - at least.

All in all - probably not worth even discussing aside from "topic"
material here.

Actually, I have already written both of my Senators and my one
congressman.
Did you see the "Mars Underground" program on TV? - very interesting.
If people havnt seen this, its worth digging through the guide for, I wont
try to detail it here except to say it compares NASA's plan for Mars at
$450 billion to Richard Zubrin's plan at $50 billion - watch it if you can
find it


No I've not seen it. Usually try to watch news and some shows - been way too
busy in recent past to pay much attention to TV.

I can agree - if they're going to spend the money - do it wisely. I'm sure -
they've still got oodles of experiments for the good of man kind - they can
try in space. Its not the "amount" of money - it is "how" it is spent.

I did hear - the recent flight experienced some tile damage. You would think
by now - they would get a grip on that. It happened the last flight and so
on. Surely they've got something they can do. I realize astronauts have a
risk - like soldiers, firefighters, cops - but you try to do what you can to
"minimize" loss of life. You don't keep repeating the same stupid mistakes.
That is what a "Critique" session is supposed to be for following any
event/mission. To iron out issues so they won't happen again.

A mission to Mars - etc - would be cool - but I don't think WE will ever see
it. IF they don't get their **** together with the "Shuttle" issues - they
surely won't be any closer to a prolonged mission - anytime soon.
Truthfully, I doubt they're even prepared to go back to the moon. And
speaking of which, why not try to establish a base "there" - for starters?
It would give us a chance to exercise the things needed done and see how
living a life on another celestial body would feel for a few days or however
long. Let "that" be the stepping stone. If you can't do it there - chances
are - you won't be able to do it "anywhere".

If I recall - even the space station is nearing the end of its life span
expectancy. Weren't the computers and so on crashing? It seems to me, they
keep blowing cash after cash trying to do what "isn't" working. Aside from
learning that some cosmonauts and Americans can live in peace there - in
that setting for 6 months, just what ARE they doing otherwise? Are they
doing experiments for the good of man kind OR just getting a 6 month all
expenses paid vacation to a celestial motel?

I used to be very caught up in the Space program - and a staunch supporter
of it - at least morally. But their line of failures has made me pull in the
reigns. I do hope things can be cleared up and it continue. But - I have my
doubts.
I REALLY don't think we're any where near ready any further travel or
anything beyond and even including a continuation of the current programs.

Just my 2 cents.

Eric wrote:
Well, NASA has done it again! They spent billions to launch a damned movie
toy (a plastic light saber) into space. What a wonderfull use of public
funds. Meanwhile, we pay over $3.00 for a gallon of gas and nearly $4.00
for a gallon of milk.
When is NASA gong to get serious and take the shuttle money and devote it to
something useful? Like a manned Mars mission? I'm sick and tired of seeing
the shuttle go up and watch astronauts gobble water bubbles and m&m's for
the camera and the oh so gleeful handshakes as they enter the space station
(for the N'th time) I mean, come-on, when does this stuff end?
A shuttle mission is so expensive that it absolutely demands that the entire
mission be devoted to dead serious science and not politically correct
stunts in order to satisfy some dumb need to have this or that country, or
a particular gender, or some movie, represented in space.
Eric


Rich!