Home, Home On Lagrange

Hey, put me down as all in favor of a Lagrange-point base — I’ve advocated it for years. But I’d like to see the trade study that says EML-2 versus EML-1. My preference is for the latter, but NASA seems focused on the former. I haven’t seen any explanation as to why. To my mind it’s a time versus delta-vee tradeoff. I’d prefer quicker trips, and better views of earth.

I also agree with Charles Lurio (quoted in the piece) that this isn’t the mission that SLS is looking for. It would be ludicrously expensive compared to using existing vehicles. There is no mission for which the Senate Launch System is cost effective.

But Trent Waddington says that Charles and I should hush our mouves.

Likability

Some thoughts.

I think that there’s some Bradley effect going on. People say that they like him, so they’re not thought to be racist. There’s a lot of pressure from the media for us to think that he’s likable, and that there’s something wrong with us if we don’t like him.

The last time I recall finding him admirable or likable in any way was at the 2004 convention speech. Since then, he’s always come off as an (unjustifiably) arrogant prick to me. He’s a proud man, with much to be humble about.

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