Comments on: Two Anniversaries and Our (Private Sector) Future in Space http://pjmedia.com/blog/two-anniversaries-and-our-private-sector-future-in-space/ Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:58:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: masonstorm http://pjmedia.com/blog/two-anniversaries-and-our-private-sector-future-in-space/#comment-691489 masonstorm Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:08:29 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=68657#comment-691489 I think this is one of the few times imo when privatization is a really good idea. Whether we think it’s necessary or not, we need to continue to develop new forms of space travel and technology to facilitate it. What the ppl whose only argument is “we have too many problems down here to be worrying about this,” they fail to understand the two most important implications of aeronautical research. The first is for national defense… it’s bad enough that nasa has to rely on Russia to ferry them to the ISS. If we keep going at this rate, our disadvantage will only grow as they continue to develop new technologies in their space program while we pump the brakes on ours. Is air and space superiority something you really want the Russians to have? It doesn’t seem like a good idea for any one country to have, let alone one whom we have a sketchy history with. The second is that with aeronautical research comes a flood of new technologies, most of which are very applicable to us down on earth. For example, if it wasn’t for nasa, we wouldn’t have the chips that we use for non-invasive biopsies, solar energy, and a whole litany of other things (<a href="http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html#Top" rel="nofollow">http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html#Top</a> has a good number of inventions that most of us don’t know came from our space program). And if you’re one of those ppl that are so skeptical (or cynical imo) that you still don’t think that any of the things on this list warrant a larger investment in a privatized space industry, just remember that while you sleep at night, you most likely have nasa to thank for that, too. If you use any type of home security system, chances are they use infrared and laser technology that came out of nasa’s research (just look at the <a href="http://www.homesecurityfamily.com" rel="nofollow">adt security</a> infrared camera page. They even admit that the technology came from nasa!) I think this is one of the few times imo when privatization is a really good idea. Whether we think it’s necessary or not, we need to continue to develop new forms of space travel and technology to facilitate it. What the ppl whose only argument is “we have too many problems down here to be worrying about this,” they fail to understand the two most important implications of aeronautical research. The first is for national defense… it’s bad enough that nasa has to rely on Russia to ferry them to the ISS. If we keep going at this rate, our disadvantage will only grow as they continue to develop new technologies in their space program while we pump the brakes on ours. Is air and space superiority something you really want the Russians to have? It doesn’t seem like a good idea for any one country to have, let alone one whom we have a sketchy history with. The second is that with aeronautical research comes a flood of new technologies, most of which are very applicable to us down on earth. For example, if it wasn’t for nasa, we wouldn’t have the chips that we use for non-invasive biopsies, solar energy, and a whole litany of other things (http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html#Top has a good number of inventions that most of us don’t know came from our space program). And if you’re one of those ppl that are so skeptical (or cynical imo) that you still don’t think that any of the things on this list warrant a larger investment in a privatized space industry, just remember that while you sleep at night, you most likely have nasa to thank for that, too. If you use any type of home security system, chances are they use infrared and laser technology that came out of nasa’s research (just look at the adt security infrared camera page. They even admit that the technology came from nasa!)

]]> By: Jon http://pjmedia.com/blog/two-anniversaries-and-our-private-sector-future-in-space/#comment-415621 Jon Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:50:24 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=68657#comment-415621 I have long been in favor of privatizing space and space research. When I first brought it up to friends five years ago, I was greeted with looks ranging from puzzled to "are you out of your freaking mind?". I'm glad someone else mentioned this topic! Kudos! I have long been in favor of privatizing space and space research. When I first brought it up to friends five years ago, I was greeted with looks ranging from puzzled to “are you out of your freaking mind?”. I’m glad someone else mentioned this topic! Kudos!

]]> By: Euler http://pjmedia.com/blog/two-anniversaries-and-our-private-sector-future-in-space/#comment-413742 Euler Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:07:12 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=68657#comment-413742 I am extremely excited about private spaceflight. Virgin Galactic will be flying passengers in the next few years and XCOR is only a few years behind them. Both have fully reusable suborbital spaceplanes. SpaceX will launch the Dragon capsule in the next few months. While their overall design is conservative their first stage booster is supposed to be reusable. A few other companies are about to start test missions but they're mostly under the radar. I am extremely excited about private spaceflight. Virgin Galactic will be flying passengers in the next few years and XCOR is only a few years behind them. Both have fully reusable suborbital spaceplanes.

SpaceX will launch the Dragon capsule in the next few months. While their overall design is conservative their first stage booster is supposed to be reusable.

A few other companies are about to start test missions but they’re mostly under the radar.

]]> By: Gozer the Carpathian http://pjmedia.com/blog/two-anniversaries-and-our-private-sector-future-in-space/#comment-413739 Gozer the Carpathian Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:02:10 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=68657#comment-413739 All I can say is about bloody time. :) I work for NASA out at Goldstone and I know first hand how much overrun there is in every bloody part of the process. And this is just a ground tracking station! o.O! I hope the private sector starts getting into deeper space, or at least lunar space, so I can change jobs. :) All I can say is about bloody time. :)

I work for NASA out at Goldstone and I know first hand how much overrun there is in every bloody part of the process.

And this is just a ground tracking station! o.O!

I hope the private sector starts getting into deeper space, or at least lunar space, so I can change jobs. :)

]]> By: Marcus Boyd http://pjmedia.com/blog/two-anniversaries-and-our-private-sector-future-in-space/#comment-413621 Marcus Boyd Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:49:04 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=68657#comment-413621 This is indeed an exciting time. I am just sad that I will probably miss the best to come. This is indeed an exciting time. I am just sad that I will probably miss the best to come.

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