OK, I admit it! Sometimes I shoot from the hip (don't suppose you've noticed!) Couple things: First, I do agree that we need to bring launch costs WAY down, and I further believe we can do it. Whether we need to delay manned missions until that happens is another question. I really like and support the private industry approach. Second, it may well be that the ISS is, to put it politely, "not cost effective." However, I still say it's the only thing we have to do anything in space, so dropping it out of orbit doesn't seem to be the best solution. Third, as I have said repeatedly, the decisions are political, (not Political as in Demo/Repub) not technical. We have, and have had, the technical, scientific, engineering, and mechanical ability to do just about anything we might want to do. Unfortunately people can't get too excited about little robots scurrying about or even big spacecraft doing their thing. Fourth, you're probably right in your anger with the politicians being apparently unable to act sensibly. But when have they been? All politicians are self serving, and I've known some very good, thoughtful, dedicated pols in my time, but their first priority is getting elected and their next priority is getting re-elected. Unfortunately, that ain't going to change. I guess we just need to keep supporting those with whom we agree, and letting the rest know of our displeasure. Last, how does this apply to Europa? Seems like we get off the track very easily, but at the same time this kind of discussion seems much more relevant. If we can get over this particular hump, maybe Europa will once again be a hot topic. Gail Leatherwood ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Moomaw" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Europa Icepick" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2002 10:16 PM Subject: Re: The snake devours its tail
> > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Gail Leatherwood" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2002 8:27 PM > Subject: Re: The snake devours its tail > > > > > > Keep at it, Mr. Moomaw. If you are successful, you will destroy the only > > working beachhead we now have in space. All we see from you is "Bring it > > down, destroy it, stop any possible uses of it, stop wasting our resources > > on something I consider worthless." How about suggesting something > positive > > for a change? If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the > > problem. Frankly, I'm a little tired of your polemics against the ISS. > > G. B. Leatherwood > > This particular "beachhead" is not worth maintaining -- and I'm hardly the > only one who thinks so; so does most of the space science community itself. > The confirmation of my long-term suspicion that even microgravity biologists > might have been happier with a man-tended unmanned platform is the last > straw. As for the "positive suggestion", I'm in full agreement with Freeman > Dyson (who can hardly be called anti-space): shut down manned space travel > to an absolute minimum until we get launch costs WAY down, and in the > meantime focus on unmanned missions, which can be miniaturized to an amazing > degree. People cannot be. And, believe me, you can't possibly be as tired > of my anti-ISS polemics as I am of Congress and the White House making > wasteful and counterproductive idiots of themselves on this subject -- as > they have been for at least 15 years. > > == > You are subscribed to the Europa Icepick mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Project information and list (un)subscribe info: http://klx.com/europa/ > == You are subscribed to the Europa Icepick mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Project information and list (un)subscribe info: http://klx.com/europa/
