Charles Miller, no longer with NASA, has a piece at Florida Today about how to get back to the moon for less money. He also has one at the Journal, but it’s for subscribers only (though it may become available in a few days). Mitt should fire Mike Griffin, and hire Charles.
Category Archives: Space
Why Star Wars Sux
Almost Into Space
Wow. Armadillo’s most recent flight went to 82 kilometers. Not without a hitch, but they got it back, probably able to fly again.
Dana On Newt
Whoa:
“I think that it is unrealistic to think that we could establish a moon base by 2020, even if we spent all the money in the world,” Rohrabacher said. “[It’s] just going to bankrupt every other program.”
Rohrabacher said Gingrich is a visionary thinker “who can paint pictures for people of what a bright future we could have. But he doesn’t have the management and leadership abilities to lead those to fruition.”
I actually disagree. I think that we could easily get back to the moon by 2020, for less money than NASA is currently spending, but only if it is important, and Congress doesn’t dictate how to do it. In other words, we can’t do it.
Teachers In Space
…is now Citizens In Space:
“The development of low-cost reusable suborbital spacecraft will be the next great enabler, allowing citizens to participate in space exploration and space science.
“Citizens have told us that education is not just a process that occurs within the public schools. Science fairs, hackerspaces, museums; private, religious, and home schools — all have a role to play. Today, we are listening to those citizens.
“We want to put a thousand astronaut teachers into American schools . We want to engage America’s students and reach out to the public through museums, science centers, and other venues. We want to make space research and space exploration part of the mainstream, not treasures locked away in the ivory tower.
“When Apollo 12 commander Pete Conrad was asked what it was like to fly in space, he said, ‘Everyone should go!’ We agree.
I agree, too. At least those who want to. It’s too bad the people in charge of the government space program don’t agree.
[Update a few minutes later]
Here’s the new web site.
NASA’s Technology Priorities
The National Research Council has come out with a list of sixteen. Does anyone else see something conspicuous by its absence? Hint: it’s necessary for orbital refueling.
[Late afternoon update]
Here’s the full report.
[Bumped]
Newt’s Lunar Ambitions
AP (at the Huffington Post, of all places) says he got a bum rap. I still think that we could get back to the moon by 2020. But NASA can’t, not as long as Congress is in charge.
Nine Years Of Space Policy Disaster
I have some thoughts about the current state of affairs, on the ninth anniversary of the loss of Columbia.
Newt’s Mars Prize
Thoughts and some history from Bob Zubrin. The plan, at least as stated by Bob, has a (as Newt would say) “fundamental” flaw in it:
There would be at least two prizes: a $5 billion prize to develop and demonstrate a heavy-lift booster capable of lifting at least 100 tons to low Earth orbit, and a $10 billion prize for the first human mission to Mars. In addition, the winners of these prizes would be given contracts for the purchase by NASA of an additional five copies of their flight systems at a recurring cost of 20 percent of the respective prize per copy.
Prizes should specify the goal, not the means to achieve it. It presumes without evidence the need for an arbitrarily-sized heavy lifter. Bob, if you want to get to Mars, then put out a prize for Mars, but don’t tell people how to do it.
Talking Moon Colonies
Just a reminder, that Brian Wang and I will be on Fast-Forward Radio tonight, at 8 PM Pacific.