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NASA Explores How Spaceflight Changes Our Culture
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jajbowler
12/03/08

In reply to NASA Explores How Spaceflight Changes Our Culture
Hopefully they still have funding to build the shuttle that sends Tom Arnold, Pauly Shore and Rosie O'Donnell directly to the sun.
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Andrew Liptak
12/03/08

In reply to NASA Explores How Spaceflight Changes Our Culture
I for one think that NASA shouldn't necessarily be in charge of space flight - I think that this sort of thing should and will likely be going more towards commercial endeavors, rather than governmental ones. We've already seen civilian groups come together to reach orbit, and I suspect that we'll see far more of that in the future.

In the meantime, NASA should work more towards space exploration, but once civilians take over, it should go towards regulation or something along those lines.
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corpore-metal
12/03/08

@JediTrilobite: Space tourism is one thing--fine, let private companies handle that.

Space exploration is entirely another. That kind of thing is done for abstract knowledge, not much room for quarterly profits in that.
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tetracycloide
12/03/08

@corpore-metal: exactly, it's impossible to dedicate corporations to an endeavor that is inheriently non-profit seeking.
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Andrew Liptak
12/03/08

@corpore-metal: Exploration will come with private companies far more readily than tourism, I think. One anology that I've made in the past is look at the Spanish exploration of the new world - it was driven by commercial enterprises. Tourism can't bring in the same amount of capital as something such as mining or something along those lines.

Exploration doesn't necessarily mean walking out in the park looking at the sights and scientific wonders - that has some very profound meanings, and I'm sure that governmental interests will continue with the scientific process, but it won't be the primary reasons for us leaving the planet.
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Andrew Liptak
12/03/08

@tetracycloide: Well, that's just it - there's a lot out there in space that could be very profitable.
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corpore-metal
12/03/08

In reply to NASA Explores How Spaceflight Changes Our Culture
The problem is that human spaceflight was presented to the public as a thrilling, Everest-like extravaganza when it really should have been presented like truckers and construction workers in space.

I mean wasn't that the sign that we were successful? At some point it's supposed to become routine, right?
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Pope John Peeps II
12/03/08

@corpore-metal: WHY CAN'T I GET NO TANG ROUND HERE?
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tetracycloide
12/03/08

In reply to NASA Explores How Spaceflight Changes Our Culture
it would behoove NASA to move away from a cost-benefit analysis model of rationalizing space flight. for far to long the economic benifit of space exploration has been too large an issue. i think this is a step in the right direction.
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LittleDragon
12/03/08

In reply to NASA Explores How Spaceflight Changes Our Culture
It is really depressing when we have to prove the value of space exploration to people.
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cmg
12/03/08

@ldevitt: you know, it's depressing but i can understand why some people need convincing. it's hard to justify spending money on potential moon colonies, orbital condos, or what have you when there are so many issues that need to be dealt with on terra firma.

that said, i'm all for continued space exploration.
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braak
12/03/08

@cmg: I'm still unconvinced.
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cmg
12/03/08

@braak: thankfully, it's not my job to convince you.
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