A meaningful goal for NASA

[Happy Monkey]

Originally posted by SteveDallas
... and partly because there was genuine concern (concern that may look silly in hindsight) about military advantages of having a foothold in space.

Well, it's actually not all that silly. One reason that low Earth orbit isn't brisling with weapon satellites is because a treaty was signed to prevent it. If the USSR had been able to take control of space, that treaty would probably have been similar to all of our nuclear weapons treaties - the first ones there get to keep making them, but the johnny-come-latelys get none.

[Hubris Boy]

Originally posted by Radar
If HB spent the rest of his life in the persuit of computer knowledge he would still pale in comparison to what I know. I've forgotten more about computer networking than HB will ever know.

*gales of derisive laughter*

Don't make me pull IT rank on you, clown. You don't know who you're talking to.

I really enjoyed this line the first time I saw UT use it. I've been waiting for my chance to try it, too.

[classicman]

Instead of creating another thread with the same topic, I found this one and figured we a bump was in order ...

"Bolden: I am here in the region - its sort of the first anniversary of President Barack Obama's visit to Cairo - and his speech there when he gave what has now become known as Obama's "Cairo Initiative" where he announced that he wanted this to become a new beginning of the relationship between the United States and the Muslim world. When I became the NASA Administrator - before I became the NASA Administrator - he charged me with three things: One was that he wanted me to re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, that he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with predominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science, math, and engineering."

Question: Are you in some sort of diplomatic role .. to win hearts and minds?

Bolden: NO NO, not at all. Its not a diplomatic anything. What it is - is that it is trying to expand our outreach so that we get more people who can contribute to the things that we do - the international Space Station is as great as it is because we have a conglomerate of about 15 plus nations who have contributed something to that partnership that has made it what it is today ..."

link
NOTE** I linked this site because the liberal and the conservative sites just started with their spin instead of giving the actual info. This one actually quoted what was said.


I am not familiar with NASA's goals from the past, but I would have thought they would be more about the functioning of the organization and space travel/exploration - not about this stuff which seems so much more diplomatic in nature.

1) to re-inspire children to want to get into science and math,
2) to expand our international relationships,
3)and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with predominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science, math, and engineering."

I think these are worthwhile things, but not his responsibility. Anyway - thats all I'll say on it for now. I'm interested in what you think.

[Lamplighter]

Sorry, wrong button !

[Radar]

The only thing you're pulling is your pud.

[jaguar]

pud? Whats a pud? Must be one of those MSCE things the unwashed are not enlightened about.

[Cam]

jag, it's Radar, he's right your wrong end of story, it doesn’t matter what sort of fucked up terminology he uses, he's right and your wrong.

[Griff]

Originally posted by jaguar
pud? Whats a pud? Must be one of those MSCE things the unwashed are not enlightened about.

I think he meant spud. Thats it, HB is pulling potatoes. Some kind of agricultural slur I guess...

[Cam]

So for a man as computer educated as Radar would it really be that difficult to use spell check. I mean really.

"Pud" is actually another word for "penis". Doesn't make Radar any less of one though.

[Cam]

I believe we still need manned space flights so that we can continue to perform experiments in space. Experiments in Low gravity has led to some interesting discoveries. I found this site interesting on the topic of microgravity research. Experiments in Microgravity

[99 44/100% pure]

Originally posted by Radar
The only thing you're pulling is your pud.

Hey! The only one who should be pulling HB's pud is ME.

Just wanted to get that straight.

[Elspode]

With no disrespect intended, as I hold you both in the highest possible regard (given the fact that I don't know either one of you), I've got to inquire...isn't HB allowed to pull his *own* pud, or is that strictly your job by some sort of mutual agreement (an agreeable agreement, to be sure)?

[tw]

Originally posted by Cam
I believe we still need manned space flights so that we can continue to perform experiments in space. Experiments in Low gravity has led to some interesting discoveries.

Now how many of these were done on a space station and how many were done in a much less expensive shuttle flight?

No one is disputing the need for manned space flight. It would just be nice if even 50% had some scientific purpose. Many of those experiments were performed just as easily in robotic vehicles that are substanically less costs. Estimates are as much as 1/10th cost. Manned flight only for the sake of manned flight makes no sense. Manned flight to solve problems, ie Hubble, have a purpose. With three out of four shuttles virtually dedicated to building a station that has little scientific value, what is the purpose in most cases?

[Undertoad]

Regarding A meaningful goal for NASA, this person has an interesting proposal that rings true and makes a lotta sense.