Lost Moon
I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.
President John F. Kennedy issued that extraordinary challenge on May 25, 1961 before a join session of Congress. NASA was stunned by the audacity of his challenge, but they DID rise to it. And make no mistake, NASA was as screwed up then as they are today.
Now “President” Obama has declared: “Constellation [the new manned lunar mission] is dead.”
Just the titles of the inventions and patents that resulted from our space effort in the 1960s would fill pages and pages . In medicine, engineering, computers, food storage, metallurgy, polymers, energy…in EVERY single aspect of human endeavor…massive leaps forward were taken as a result. And although the space program began under Eisenhower, Kennedy’s speech truly did provide a very necessary gust of wind in the sails of our quest for space.
At the time the argument was made that “the money could be better spent here at home”. It WAS ultimately “better spent here at home”, by spending on things that would provide incentive to Americans to LEARN, to WORK, and to STRIVE for a better life, and…and be part of something great in the process. What the critics meant, of course, was that we should shovel huge amounts of cash into Johnson’s “Great Society”, and guarantee people survival, at the expense of opportunities to succeed!
Millions of people here and around the world dedicated their lives to science and engineering…and profited from the massive infusion of new ideas. As in bicycle racing, the world literally “drafted” behind this effort, and was pulled along to places no one could have imaged.
But that was then, and this is now. Now America must be “fundamentally transformed” into a Worker’s Paradise. The “savings” realized by stopping the program will not cover ONE MONTH of the current deficit spending. It’s not the money Obama is after this time…it’s the American spirit.
[1]
JR, I do like the post and your close is right on. But I want to play contrarian on the issue and hopefully in a positive light.
If we are still a people who believe in free enterprise, profit and the desire to risk — why not the exploitation of space? If we truly believe that private enterprise is the better mechanism why not here and now? NASA had one program cut, but they still have a budget to work with. If NASA was to trim the fat to free up some cash they could do all of the following —
* Continue ‘X prizes’ for near term best of breed developments where several avenues present themselves. Races to the goal are great for that kind of thing.
* Invoke the concept of theRailway Act of 1848 in a means to encourge risk taking in those areas, launch platforms for example, where the capital costs are high and the risks unlimited. The inducement then was land, now it would be access. The 1,2 companies than can reduce lift costs by say 50% from the shuttle might be granted a 20 yr exclusive so long as they continue to reduce the costs.
* Open up all the patents out there. Over time NASA has gotten away from their sharing the wealth by doing contracts differently. Need to move back to the original over time.
The point is the cash for the infrastructure comes from private enterprise. NASA only plays the role of integrator and inducer.
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Something else to consider. The three marvels of technology of the 20th Century did not come out of the space program. The transistor, the integrated circuit, and the laser. The transistor came from Bell Labs, the IC from Intel, the laser from Hughes Research.
[2]
I saw this story yesterday, and it just made me sick. If Obama was after the American spirit, he made a good start. I am not one who thinks interplanetary travel is an adventure the human body will ever be able to experience, but the dream should never die. The moon is attainable, and good things will ensue from the colonization of it.
I had the rare privilege of sitting with Jim Lovell at a dinner a few years ago when he spoke to a North Carolina business group. Remarkable man. He signed his book, “Lost Moon”, for me, and it is truly one of my treasured possessions.
“Join us in space” was his message. Simple, yet with great meaning. An invitation from one of the great pioneers of American exploration and discovery.
And on the other hand, Obama continues his assault on the American people.
[3]
You lucky mullet.
[4]
“You lucky mullet.”
Obviously, this business meeting was not discriminating in its preparation of the guest list.
They probably mistook me for the smoked mullet pate.
[5]
actually, drdog, I agree.
The problem is that Obama leaked out the death of the NASA moon mission…without offering ANYTHING in its place.
The reason is clear: he wants SOCIAL programs that re-distribute wealth and not REAL incentives to do REAL things!
but yes, incentives to private enterprise for space exploration would have a tremendous and positive effect on America…and thus Obama will avoid it.
[6]
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
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sorry to disturb your sleep, eph…we’ll try to keep it down over here.
[8]
Great post JR. Your premise of striving for improvements is right on. In the 60’s NASA’s accomplishments embodied the Great American spirit of hard work and ideas. The down side of younger society growing up with so many major conveniences is that they cannot truely appreciate the journey. Of coarse, every generation has probably felt this way about the younger generation.
[9]
JR -
The question could be in 2012: if Obama realizes he will have a difficult time winning, will he: 1) step aside because of his ego and let someone else (perhaps Hillary run) or 2) will his ego prevent him from stepping aside?
[10]
This is just more evidence that Obama doesn’t understand America. Vision is something he’s never had. Only his own vapid lofty rhetoric and personal ambition.
[11]
Indeed, reggie. well said.
[12]
Excellent post and first comment! I agree with both!
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#10 – perfect.
[14]
Were NASA to go counter revolutionary (hard for a govt agency) it would certainly inspire many to say ’stick it in your eye’ we’re doing this anyway.
Reggie, you are right. Obama maybe from America but he is not of America.
[15]
Palin strikes again on facebook. KSM trial this time.
[16]
Plain vanilla from Wasilla.
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Roasting mullets over an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at his butt,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like jabba the hut
[18]
When the mullet turns flaky, he’s done.
[19]
With prose about mullets so cute
Offered up by IP the brute
the trouble he would hatch
the fish just might match
now bring on the Mel Torme lawsuit