Topic: Bush's Plans on Space Exploration (Read 5038 times)

alexg223 · « **on:** January 15, 2004, 02:10:36 AM »

View Bush's plan: CLICK

After the tradegy of losing the Columbia, and the suspension of all manned space flights. I became worried about the fate of the space program. Now, a man I did not even vote for continues to surprize me. This is the best news involving the space program in years. If we as Americans do not strive to achieve the adverse. Who will? I personally would be quite pleased to know, my tax dollars are going toward the cause of expanding our knowledge of the known universe. Some polls show that many people believe the money would be better spent on education. I feel that these two causes compliment one another. If our nation can help write a new chapter in space exploration. How is that not benifical to the wealth of knowledge all children can aquire? I sincerly hope the president -- if relected -- will not allow this cause to disappear.

Edited by Judge. URL tags are fun!

Telsan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2004, 07:43:34 AM »

I am all for space exploration. But I would much prefer it to be a universal thing, not just a NASA funded plan. The international space station was a really good idea. Whats the point in building a station on the moon if we are still busy killing each other on this planet? Even the paranoia of other countries thinking that the US will build missile silos on the moon. Star wars part two shoots things coming up and across, not from behind it.

My greatest fear of space exploration is summed up with a quote from Fight Club. "When space exploration ramps up, it will be the corporations that take over, the IBM stellasphere, the Microsoft Galaxy, Planet Starbucks."

If we are to step off this planet, lets sort out our problems here, before trying out war on another planet.

Anonymous · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2004, 08:08:05 AM »

Telson, we're no where near steping off this planet. Sure, there's talk about a colony on the moon and things like that, but it's too much on the small scale. When I get a choice of wheter I want to stay on this rock or relocate to the moon, then I'll be more concerned about who runs the show. Until then, I'm all for space exploration and I don't really care who's funding it or who's doing it. As long as we are moving forward.

FYI, we will always be in conflict no matter where we are. It's human nature.

Telsan · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2004, 08:20:06 AM »

Very true, and I do agree. Just a pasifists dream I guess. Which is ironic coming from me. All I do is plan my movements when the apocalypse comes

alexg223 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2004, 03:44:50 PM »

Yeah, I agree that an international project would be more benifical financially. However, you cited the International Space Station. That is both a good, and a bad thing. Think of how long that has been in the works. Also, all the time and deliberation that has been spent on the simplest of aspects. If the Americans undertake this endeavor alone. The benifits could be great. The projects could be done in a timely fashion. But still, the Mars mission is a long ways off technologically.

I'd like to give you props on the "Fight Club" quote. That's one of the greatest movies of all time...

ivan · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2004, 04:45:41 PM »

Quote from: alexg223

If we as Americans do not strive to achieve the adverse. Who will?

Many countries have a space program. Even China. Why wasn't your question, "If we as HUMANS do not strive...", etc.? Why do we need a space race? This Plan of Bush's is a callous bid to appear Kennedyesque without actually doing anything. A speech and a $1 billion/5yr increase is hot air and chump change. In the mean time, our schools are churning out waves of politically correct morons, our inner cities are a disgrace, qualified programmers are working at Starbucks and no one's getting fat except Mama Cass.

The deep, I mean chasm-deep, irony of the first space race was that its purpose was to prove to the world that free enterprise is a superior system to socialism -- yet the space program is STATE-SPONSORED! What we really proved is that, like with anything else, Americans are better at socialism than even socialists!

Here's the deal, Neil: Man will begin exploring space in ernest when, and not until, it becomes profitable. Not patriotic, not "cool", but profitable. Like anyone else raised on Heinlein, I can't wait for that to happen. That's why I'm excited about all the private sector space ventures like Boeing's SeaLaunch.

Quote

I personally would be quite pleased to know, my tax dollars are going toward the cause of expanding our knowledge of the known universe.

Your tax dollars are actually going toward the cause of re-electing Bush, because that is the short-term goal of this plan.

Min · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2004, 04:56:25 PM »

Quote from: ivan

and no one's getting fat except Mama Cass.

Didn't she die?

...of fatness?

Min · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2004, 05:12:35 PM »

And where's that url?

ivan · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2004, 05:36:53 PM »

Quote from: Detta

And where's that url?

Over on HN, the tags work.

Edit: Fixed it. Here: click.

ivan · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2004, 12:17:07 PM »

Quote from: ivan

Quote from: alexg223
If we as Americans do not strive to achieve the adverse. Who will?
Many countries have a space program. Even China. Why wasn't your question, "If we as HUMANS do not strive...", etc.? Why do we need a space race? This Plan of Bush's is a callous bid to appear Kennedyesque without actually doing anything. A speech and a $1 billion/5yr increase is hot air and chump change. In the mean time, our schools are churning out waves of politically correct morons, our inner cities are a disgrace, qualified programmers are working at Starbucks and no one's getting fat except Mama Cass.

The deep, I mean chasm-deep, irony of the first space race was that its purpose was to prove to the world that free enterprise is a superior system to socialism -- yet the space program is STATE-SPONSORED! What we really proved is that, like with anything else, Americans are better at socialism than even socialists!

Here's the deal, Neil: Man will begin exploring space in ernest when, and not until, it becomes profitable. Not patriotic, not "cool", but profitable. Like anyone else raised on Heinlein, I can't wait for that to happen. That's why I'm excited about all the private sector space ventures like Boeing's SeaLaunch.

Quote
I personally would be quite pleased to know, my tax dollars are going toward the cause of expanding our knowledge of the known universe.

Your tax dollars are actually going toward the cause of re-electing Bush, because that is the short-term goal of this plan.

Ah-HA!

And you all thought I was talking through my hat. Click THIS.

hackess · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2004, 12:26:10 PM »

Quote from: ivan

Ah-HA!

And you all thought I was talking through my hat. Click THIS.

Next, they'll sell ad space. Can you imagine seeing ads for McDonalds and Nike and, Pepe help us, HN on the side of spacecraft?

Xeno Ghost · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2004, 12:49:49 PM »

I'm all for space exploration, that's my number one dream. At one time, before I got into college, I wanted to design spaceships that could take us there.

But I honestly don't feel Bush is all that sincere about this. Kind of like how everyone felt Kennedy was really into getting us to the moon by the end of the 60s, it turns how he really just wanted to beat the Russians and didn't care all that much.

I can't say that he did not already have this plan when he entered office like he's leading us to believe, but I do know that this plan didn't surface in the media until the Democratic canidates and especially Wesley Clark already promised a huge effort that would be put into space exploration.

I think it just might be a, "Ooo, those cowterds got a good response out of that idea, that might be good for re-election, better devise my own plan."

Which, in any case, I don't care. As long as he doesn't break any treaties like I'm afraid he might do (ie, put weapons in outerspace).

pbsaurus · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2004, 07:39:52 PM »

Quote from: catwritr

Quote from: ivan

Ah-HA!

And you all thought I was talking through my hat. Click THIS.

Next, they'll sell ad space. Can you imagine seeing ads for McDonalds and Nike and, Pepe help us, HN on the side of spacecraft?

That would be a good way to generate cash flow. I say we build a penal colony on the moon and transport all the dregs of humanity there!

a821 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2004, 12:28:37 AM »

The manned Moon landings pumped an incredible amount of industry cash into companies and the common blue collar as well as white collar workers pocket.

While the price tag makes you do a double take, if you put it into terms of what the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions combined cost the nation, and with inflation I wouldn't be surprised if its all relative.

This is a great boost in the arm for the economy, one which Bush was left in his lap from Mr. Bill the Intern slob, too busy riding the wave of a self perpertuating (and self destructing) economy which was falling apart just as it was turned over to Bush who has done a monumental feat in getting it going again... the idea of a new manned mission to the Moon and to help create the needed jump-point to make a Mars Mission even conceivable is a great idea and will help not only put money into small agressive firms, but into the little guys pocket. It will help rebuild national pride and self worth in the country again and give science and education a big shot in the arm to help excite kids with space exploration once again.

ABBY8

hackess · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2004, 09:24:38 AM »

Quote from: a821

This is a great boost in the arm for the economy, one which Bush was left in his lap from Mr. Bill the Intern slob, too busy riding the wave of a self perpertuating (and self destructing) economy which was falling apart just as it was turned over to Bush who has done a monumental feat in getting it going again... the idea of a new manned mission to the Moon and to help create the needed jump-point to make a Mars Mission even conceivable is a great idea and will help not only put money into small agressive firms, but into the little guys pocket. It will help rebuild national pride and self worth in the country again and give science and education a big shot in the arm to help excite kids with space exploration once again.

Explain to me exactly how the government spending billions of taxpayer dollars is going to put money back into my pocket.

I've never understood how space exploration helps rebuild national pride and "self worth." I don't feel any better about myself because a couple people land on the moon. Maybe someone who was around for the first moon landing can explain it to me (if we have anyone old enough).

By the way, ABBY8, many schools can barely afford to teach kids basic science. Until the federal government starts putting more money into the most fundamental schooling, boosting kids' interest in space education is like dangling a carrot in front of a starving rabbit.

MISTER MASSACRE · « **Reply #15 on:** February 09, 2004, 02:22:42 PM »

Yeah, just you wait until they strike moon gold! Then we'll all be stinkin' rich! Well, not me 'cause I'm Canadian.

I would like someone to print me off an economic analysis of how the space program benefits anyone in business other than the people who are directly involved. (Which includes the people who make the materials n' software n' food n' such for the damned things)

I'd be impressed if I was impressed.

RotYourBrain · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2004, 04:17:06 AM »

The only true advancements in space travel will be when corporations take over and NASA's only purpose is for air-space regulation. It will be done cheaper, faster, and more efficiently. As for profits? Dennis Tito is said to have spent between 18 and 20 million for a 4 day vacation.

NASA spends over $2,000 on a carabiner, how much do the Russians spend? And what about those analog mars wristwatches for $500+ each, not to mention development expenses?

Law · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2004, 10:14:15 AM »

Yes, because private corporations are the paramours of speed and efficiency...

pbsaurus · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2004, 03:42:09 PM »

If there's a sufficient chance to bilk investors, private industry could take the lead....

xolik · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2004, 03:51:49 PM »

Quote from: Law

Yes, because private corporations are the paramours of speed and efficiency...

As opposed to the DMV, right?

Paramours=A lover, especially one in an adulterous relationship.

hackess · « **Reply #20 on:** February 18, 2004, 04:27:55 PM »

Quote from: Law

Yes, because private corporations are the paramours of speed and efficiency...

I think you meant "paragons."

Law · « **Reply #21 on:** February 18, 2004, 04:58:01 PM »

Quote from: catwritr

Quote from: Law
Yes, because private corporations are the paramours of speed and efficiency...

I think you meant "paragons."

Maybe I did. What's it to ya?

hackess · « **Reply #22 on:** February 18, 2004, 06:35:53 PM »

Quote from: Law

Maybe I did. What's it to ya?

Nutthin', honey.

News:

Recent Forum Posts

Shout Box

Author Topic: Bush's Plans on Space Exploration (Read 5038 times)

Anonymous

ivan

ivan

ivan