BreakPoint
We are sending robots the size of cars to Mars ...
jcarmody wrote:NASA is a gigantic drain on the economy.
NASA keeps a lot of companies running. About all NASA does is create specifications and then contracts out the work to companies all over the US. How is that a drain to the economy by creating jobs. And I'm talking about high-tech jobs. And let's not forget how much of our current technology we would not have without the efforts of NASA. Are there things they could do to be more effecient. Heck yeah! But I would feel a lot safer on a shuttle than a Falcon that has no where close to the safety ratings or capabilities of even a Suyoz. That said, I have great respect for SpaceX. They are doing some really great work. But they have a lot of painful learning coming.
@crossrulz wrote:
jcarmody wrote:NASA is a gigantic drain on the economy.NASA keeps a lot of companies running by spending other people's money that the market would use differently. About all NASA does is create specifications and then contracts out the work to companies all over the US for projects that nobody wants (otherwise, they'd make them). How is that a drain to the economy by creating jobs. If creating jobs is the goal, we could create more jobs by degrading technology. And I'm talking about high-tech jobs. That's nice for high-tech folks, but it's not the point. And let's not forget how much of our current technology we would not have without the efforts of NASA. How much, exactly? And, how much of that would have been developed anyway (perhaps sooner)? And, how much of that is relevant outside of NASA's realm? You're also forgetting about the $3.2 gazillion/year that isn't realized because of NASA's drain. Are there things they could do to be more effecient. Heck yeah! But I would feel a lot safer on a shuttle than a Falcon that has no where close to the safety ratings or capabilities of even a Suyoz. I'd feel safer on a private vessle because they have a financial motivation to be safe. NASA can explode (Challenger) and burn (Columbia) shuttles (and crews) with no ramifications. That said, I have great respect for SpaceX. Finally, agreement! They are doing some really great work. But they have a lot of painful learning coming. No doubt.
That said, I have great respect for you on this forum. I'm just suffering from political/economic Tourett's Syndrome and I hate government meddling; please take my comments with a grain pound of salt. I bet I couldn't find anything good to say about the government...
@jcarmody wrote:
@crossrulz wrote:
jcarmody wrote:NASA is a gigantic drain on the economy.NASA keeps a lot of companies running by spending other people's money that the market would use differently. About all NASA does is create specifications and then contracts out the work to companies all over the US for projects that nobody wants (otherwise, they'd make them). How is that a drain to the economy by creating jobs. If creating jobs is the goal, we could create more jobs by degrading technology. And I'm talking about high-tech jobs. That's nice for high-tech folks, but it's not the point. And let's not forget how much of our current technology we would not have without the efforts of NASA. How much, exactly? And, how much of that would have been developed anyway (perhaps sooner)? And, how much of that is relevant outside of NASA's realm? You're also forgetting about the $3.2 gazillion/year that isn't realized because of NASA's drain. Are there things they could do to be more effecient. Heck yeah! But I would feel a lot safer on a shuttle than a Falcon that has no where close to the safety ratings or capabilities of even a Suyoz. I'd feel safer on a private vessle because they have a financial motivation to be safe. NASA can explode (Challenger) and burn (Columbia) shuttles (and crews) with no ramifications. That said, I have great respect for SpaceX. Finally, agreement! They are doing some really great work. But they have a lot of painful learning coming. No doubt.
That said, I have great respect for you on this forum. I'm just suffering from political/economic Tourett's Syndrome and I hate government meddling; please take my comments with a
grainpound of salt. I bet I couldn't find anything good to say about the government...
Hey, I hate government meddling more than most people. But I also spent the last 8 years of my life working for NASA programs and I know at least a little about what is in the shuttle vs. the Falcon, so take what I say with 1.5lbs of salt (and a lot of water, that would make a camel parched).
