October 2008 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff?
by zaurak＠digis.net 02 Oct '08

02 Oct '08

Good quote Kurt, Science and Research inspire and benefit citizens. Profitability is a poor measure of the value of Science, government funding is needed for it to thrive. It would be a shame if tax policy kills NASA, not to mention what it would do to some Utah companies. --- canopus56(a)yahoo.com wrote: From: Canopus56 <canopus56(a)yahoo.com> To: Utah Astronomy List Serv <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff? Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 11:10:04 -0700 (PDT) My light non-scientific reading for the summer was Randy Pausch's popular swan-song, _The Last Lecture_. The following quote at p. 131 succintly captured, for me, the role of the Apollo program and big science in general, in the public mind: "Men first walked on the moon during the summer of 1969, when I was eight years old. I knew then that pretty much anything was possible. It was as if all of us, all over the world, had been given permission to dream big dreams." - Kurt P.S. - Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the first day that NASA began operations - that is the first day of the 1958 federal fiscal year. The other 50th NASA birthday, celebrated earlier this year, was July 29, 1958, the date that Eisenhower signed the NASA organic act. Yesterday's APOD showing the Bumper V-2 launch from Cape Canaveral July, 1950: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081001.html _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Seeking Science Movie Night suggestions
by zaurak＠digis.net 02 Oct '08

02 Oct '08

The Andromeda Strain? The original version, or "Out Break" is also similar (based on the book "The Hot Zone") --- astro_outwest(a)yahoo.com wrote: From: M Wilson <astro_outwest(a)yahoo.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Seeking Science Movie Night suggestions Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 11:52:39 -0700 (PDT) Carl Sagan's Contact starring Jodie Foster (just watching Jodie is enough for me) --- On Wed, 10/1/08, Patrick Wiggins <paw(a)wirelessbeehive.com> wrote: From: Patrick Wiggins <paw(a)wirelessbeehive.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Seeking Science Movie Night suggestions To: "utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 8:53 PM For those who may not know, the U of U's Utah Museum of Natural History has a program called Science Movie Night wherein monthly they screen a "sciency" movie at the main SLC library after which they have and have a guest speaker speak, and interact with the audience, about the movie. Admission is free. I've been asked to do another, probably sometime early next year so now I need to come up with a movie. Being an "astro-geek" I usually do something with an astronomy and/or space exploration theme. Any suggestions? Note that the movie need not be (and I prefer it not be _hard_ science). I tend to lean towards entertaining documentaries, movies loosely based on true events (we've done October Skies a couple of times) or even science fiction (I've been giving some thought to The Day the Earth Stood Still which could lead to some political discussions in the Q&A after). Suggestions? Clear skies! patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff?
by Canopus56 02 Oct '08

02 Oct '08

My light non-scientific reading for the summer was Randy Pausch's popular swan-song, _The Last Lecture_. The following quote at p. 131 succintly captured, for me, the role of the Apollo program and big science in general, in the public mind: "Men first walked on the moon during the summer of 1969, when I was eight years old. I knew then that pretty much anything was possible. It was as if all of us, all over the world, had been given permission to dream big dreams." - Kurt P.S. - Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the first day that NASA began operations - that is the first day of the 1958 federal fiscal year. The other 50th NASA birthday, celebrated earlier this year, was July 29, 1958, the date that Eisenhower signed the NASA organic act. Yesterday's APOD showing the Bumper V-2 launch from Cape Canaveral July, 1950: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081001.html

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff?
by Gary Vardon 02 Oct '08

02 Oct '08

Robots may not inspire but hopefully the science generated by robotic missions will. Robots are the best scientific tool for space exploration. Sincerely, Gary Vardon -----Original Message----- From: Robert Taylor Sent: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 10:37 PM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff? I agree. I would also add vision as something that is missing - from both sides of the aisle. As citizens we need to demand more from our elected officials. How NASA was allowed to get to this point is a national disgrace. Robots are great but they do not inspire. Without inspiration money will not flow and the best minds will go elsewhere. Robert Taylor _______________________________ Robert As with many areas of life, business, and government, we currently lack leadership. In my opinion. Jan from Vancouver USA _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff?
by zaurak＠digis.net 01 Oct '08

01 Oct '08

The new math is congress has a 10% approval rating but a 90% reelection rate. --- robtaylor3661(a)comcast.net wrote: From: "Robert Taylor" <robtaylor3661(a)comcast.net> To: <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff? Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 22:37:21 -0600 I agree. I would also add vision as something that is missing - from both sides of the aisle. As citizens we need to demand more from our elected officials. How NASA was allowed to get to this point is a national disgrace. Robots are great but they do not inspire. Without inspiration money will not flow and the best minds will go elsewhere. Robert Taylor _______________________________ Robert As with many areas of life, business, and government, we currently lack leadership. In my opinion. Jan from Vancouver USA _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff?
by Robert Taylor 01 Oct '08

01 Oct '08

I agree. I would also add vision as something that is missing - from both sides of the aisle. As citizens we need to demand more from our elected officials. How NASA was allowed to get to this point is a national disgrace. Robots are great but they do not inspire. Without inspiration money will not flow and the best minds will go elsewhere. Robert Taylor _______________________________ Robert As with many areas of life, business, and government, we currently lack leadership. In my opinion. Jan from Vancouver USA

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff?
by zaurak＠digis.net 01 Oct '08

01 Oct '08

Did you think that an insult! I assure you it was not. The private contractors in Iraq are paid very well. --- kharrismar(a)earthlink.net wrote: From: "Ken Harris" <kharrismar(a)earthlink.net> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff? Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 20:09:51 -0600 Tell 'em, Guy. Hoorah!!! ----- Original Message ----- From: <diveboss(a)xmission.com> To: <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 7:13 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff? > Quoting zaurak(a)digis.net: > > >> I suspect if we privatized the military it would much different, and >> costlier. We sure would have to pay the soldiers in the Army and >> Marines more. >> Need I go on. >> >> Please, forgive the politics. >> > > > The Marines would do the job for food and mail. Can't speak for the Army. > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com > Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff?
by zaurak＠digis.net 01 Oct '08

01 Oct '08

Our manufacturing made us great, unfortunately we are losing that. Have you ever toured the public works programs that help get us out of the great depression?....which happened when capitalism got out of control. I will not mention what the unchecked system got us into currently. The money-makers are sure money-takers now. The public benefits greatly from the locks and dams along the Mississippi River. Hoover Dam. NASA and Space Exploration never would have happened without the government. Space Exploration is a long way away from profitability. The Internet was born from government funded research (the super colliders), which we got for free. I suspect if we privatized the military it would much different, and costlier. We sure would have to pay the soldiers in the Army and Marines more. Need I go on. Please, forgive the politics. --- jchorley(a)gmail.com wrote: From: "Julie Chorley" <jchorley(a)gmail.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff? Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 16:20:42 -0600 Capitalism is what made our country great -- not programs run by the government (like NASA). When space travel and exploration becomes a money-maker and not a money-taker it will start attracting private industry. Once that happens, I'd wager we'll see huge advances in the field. On Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 8:52 PM, Patrick Wiggins <paw(a)wirelessbeehive.com>wrote: > On 30 Sep 2008, at 19:01, Robert Taylor wrote: > > > The Hubble is down, the Shuttles are due to retire and we'll be > > hitching > > rides from the Russians to get to the IIS that the US taxpayer has > > had to > > primarily pick up the tab for... > > > > In case misery loves company, here's something that appears in the > current issue of "Planetary Report": > > +++++ > The problems with the NASA budget pale in comparison with those being > experienced in Russia. Despite similar scope and some recent > increases to the Russian space program, its annual budget is less than > 10 percent of that of the United States: $1.3 billion compared with > about $17 billion. > > An article in Pravda bitterly commented, "Russia, the world's first > space power, lags behind not only the USA, but such newcomers to the > industry as the European SPace Agency, China, Japan, and France. The > space agencies of these countries spend about $3.5 billion a year on > space exploration. India currently invests a little less than $1 > billion in its space programs. It is not ruled out that the Asian > country will outstrip Russia soon." > +++++ > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy > Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com > Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com > -- Julie Chorley _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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NASA Lost the Right Stuff?
by Robert Taylor 01 Oct '08

01 Oct '08

The Hubble is down, the Shuttles are due to retire and we'll be hitching rides from the Russians to get to the IIS that the US taxpayer has had to primarily pick up the tab for. We are years away from getting back the Moon, something we did almost 40 years ago and have not been able to repeat and are no where near close to doing again. When we get there we'll likely be greeted by the Chinese, Indians and Japanese. The Orion spacecraft is also years away and may not ever get fully funded. There have been a few robotic successes but they don't really capture the imagination of most people. So, has NASA lost it? Will it ever be anything like it once was? What do we see as the future of this once great agency that is decline? NASA seems to have become a mature Bureaucracy, it has become primarily a jobs program and a drain on the tax payers, no real accomplishments, no real plans, a very uncertain future. I saw this article in USA Today. Unfortunately I agree with the http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2008-09-30-nasa-analysis_N.htm Like so many thing these days, how do we fix NASA? Robert Taylor

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff?
by Gary Vardon 01 Oct '08

01 Oct '08

I would submit that manned missions are over rated and robotic missions underrated. Robotic missions are far cheaper, can go way further in space and can do outstanding science. Robots are the future. Sincerely, Gary Vardon -----Original Message----- From: Robert Taylor Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 7:01 PM To: utah-astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] NASA Lost the Right Stuff? The Hubble is down, the Shuttles are due to retire and we'll be hitching rides from the Russians to get to the IIS that the US taxpayer has had to primarily pick up the tab for. We are years away from getting back the Moon, something we did almost 40 years ago and have not been able to repeat and are no where near close to doing again. When we get there we'll likely be greeted by the Chinese, Indians and Japanese. The Orion spacecraft is also years away and may not ever get fully funded. There have been a few robotic successes but they don't really capture the imagination of most people. So, has NASA lost it? Will it ever be anything like it once was? What do we see as the future of this once great agency that is decline? NASA seems to have become a mature Bureaucracy, it has become primarily a jobs program and a drain on the tax payers, no real accomplishments, no real plans, a very uncertain future. I saw this article in USA Today. Unfortunately I agree with the http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2008-09-30-nasa-analysis_N.htm Like so many thing these days, how do we fix NASA? Robert Taylor _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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