Space telethon...would you donate?

[cocheese 0]

Let's say NASA has a space telethon to raise money for research. Would you be willing to give some of the money you usually give to other charities to NASA or any other international space organization?

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

I heard last week that they are cleaning out all the stuff associated with the space shuttle. Something like 3 million items (from hardware and fasteners to the actual orbiters). A lot of the "cool" stuff is going to museums and schools (which is where it belongs).

I think they should "E-bay" the rest.

How much would a space geek pay for a heat shield tile?

Or even a couple nuts and bolts.
I'd pay a premium (say $10-$15 per bolt) to have a couple "geunine space shuttle fasteners" on my motorcycle.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[kkeenan 14]

The American public has a perception that the U. S. Space Program runs on a large percentage of the federal budget. It actually uses less than 3%.

The Space Shuttle program is on its way to shutting down. The last flight will occur later this year. The next manned vehicle to fly from the U. S. after that will be a minimum of 5 years away. I have a feeling that a year from now, when folks realize that the U. S. has no longer has the means to fly people in space and that we will be paying US$50M for each of our astronauts to fly to the International Space Station on Russian ships, many will think, "WTF".

I think that if it were put to a referendum vote, the majority of U. S. citizens would be in favor of increasing Space Program funding and not losing our manned flight capability.

Kevin K.

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Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[JohnMitchell 16]

It's been interesting to watch the Russians build in incremental steps and not discard something old and proven just because you can make something newer. Of course, the advent of our shuttle shut down the building of Apollo capsules, since they would be "uneccessary". With the shuttle never living up to it's billing as a quick turn around "space truck", we've had to return to proven, and I believe safer, capsule technology. I can't believe we'll be without man carriers for 5 years.

[cocheese 0]

Yes it's sad. Looks like we are heading toward a Walmart.. "made in China" space program.

Our grandkids will ask: Why did the general population care more about Hollywood and football than space exploration, grandpa? I won't have an answer.

[guppie01 0]

Quote

Yes it's sad. Looks like we are heading toward a Walmart.. "made in China" space program.

Our grandkids will ask: Why did the general population care more about Hollywood and football than space exploration, grandpa? I won't have an answer.

Not with companies like this http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/

g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[warpedskydiver 0]

How much for the door gunners seat?

[kkeenan 14]

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...Not with companies like this http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/

g

Not to take away from the amazing accomplishments of Burt Rutan, but his program relates to the space exploration as Tandem jumping relates to skydiving, i.e. "Amusement Park Ride".

_____________________________________
Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[Beerlight 0]

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I think that if it were put to a referendum vote, the majority of U. S. citizens would be in favor of increasing Space Program funding and not losing our manned flight capability.

Kevin K.

I hope you are correct. Or the crickets will be heard chirping down here.

[riddler 0]

I've worked with NASA. They wouldn't make it as a private organization. Not a company I'd give money to.

What's really a shame is that we have no problem spending trillions of dollars on subjects that frighten us (terrorism, war, HIV), but we don't want to spend even a fraction of that on subjects that excite us (space exploration). We are a fear-based society. The only way that we will explore space is if there's something really scary out there.

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD