Thoughts about the future of NASA

[BAC]

And this is the reason we never went back:

[CJS3]

As a libertarian I'm all in favor of private space programs. But here's the thing, there is nothing stopping industry from doing it now. They aren't for the most part (satellites being a big exception). The thing is industry is good for a lot of things, but making huge long term investments on pure research with no guarantee of a return isn't one of them. Sometimes government is necessary. Industry would never have given us the Hubble or the mars rover. Its just too big a risk. Government can take that risk and the results trickle down as JC noted. One would hope that selling the patents would help defray expenses. Launching private satellites sure does.  Sadly, in tough times, NASA post Cold War is seen as an expensive luxury. I disagree as I think that as a species we must expand past Earth. I really believe that space is just next big ocean to cross. But then maybe I just read too much scifi as a kid.
FQ13

There's a lot more going on than you realize;


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903480904576512422919392188.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

http://io9.com/5832014/cab-service-to-the-international-space-station-will-begin-ahead-of-schedule?tag=space

[kmitch200]

Sadly, in tough times, NASA post Cold War is seen as an expensive luxury. I disagree as I think that as a species we must expand past Earth.

Why? Has the human race done anything to warrant such expansion? For all we know, viruses could be laughing their asses off at us. 
I'm afraid that all that would happen is we would try and find a way to kill each other in another place...which would REALLY be easy to do in a very hostile environment.

There is so much of this planet that we don't know jack about.
Before we piss money away on space, money we don't have, I think we should at least explore OUR planet before heading off to find some place else to screw up.

If we can't expand our species to anything but a very temporary existance in the ocean, the chance of doing it off of this planet is zero.

[fightingquaker13]

Why? Has the human race done anything to warrant such expansion? For all we know, viruses could be laughing their asses off at us. 
I'm afraid that all that would happen is we would try and find a way to kill each other in another place...which would REALLY be easy to do in a very hostile environment.

There is so much of this planet that we don't know jack about.
Before we piss money away on space, money we don't have, I think we should at least explore OUR planet before heading off to find some place else to screw up.

If we can't expand our species to anything but a very temporary existance in the ocean, the chance of doing it off of this planet is zero.

NASA thinks we're in danger.
FQ13

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/aug/18/aliens-destroy-humanity-protect-civilisations

[tombogan03884]

Why? Has the human race done anything to warrant such expansion? For all we know, viruses could be laughing their asses off at us. 
I'm afraid that all that would happen is we would try and find a way to kill each other in another place...which would REALLY be easy to do in a very hostile environment.

There is so much of this planet that we don't know jack about.
Before we piss money away on space, money we don't have, I think we should at least explore OUR planet before heading off to find some place else to screw up.

If we can't expand our species to anything but a very temporary existance in the ocean, the chance of doing it off of this planet is zero.

Not even a Gopher relies on just one hole.
( works on the dating scene as well    )

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