"Forrest Piper" <
880yardbo...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:83c2d88c-cd15-4992...@n42g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
Imagine the incentive that space travel WOULD BRING, if NASA had not
decided to SELF-DESTRUCT, and instead represent a beacon of light to
the rest of the world! Is it perhaps that maybe it was a good idea for
NASA to STOP REPRESENTING the profits-at-all-cost side of space-
exploration, and start representing the human side? Then we wouldn't
have so much sensationalism and drama - making every astronaut or
program either a superhero or Empire - but begin to look at the most
beneficial aspects of space exploration for the civilization as a
whole - and not just for an elite few...
.......................................
I've been following NASA politics for some time, and self-destruct
isn't really what happened imo. The post 9/11 crusade has ended up
swallowing NASA's manned space program, and sadly, the bright
future which space can provide, at least for now. But I believe the
future is wide open to change, that if enough people want something
badly enough, almost anything is possible.
A couple of key events since 9/11.
Congress had instructed NASA and funded in 2000 and 2001
a new direction, which was Space Solar Power. To build a series
of increasingly larger satellites that can beam solar power to
any point on Earth. And pave the way for large scale commercial
space energy systems
NASA SERT Space Solar Power Program
http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10202&page=1
But in 2002 President Bush's first budget after taking office, and
just after 9/11, the program was abruptly canceled. Replaced later
with his "Vision" of repeating Apollo, and then on to Mars someday.
It was pretty easy to see that the new goal of returning to the Moon
of Pres. Bush was a civilian cover story, like in the early days.
A clue is that the new manager of the "Vision" was previously
the head of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Administrator O-Keefe
started transforming NASA over to the "Vision" in Jan 2004,
whatever NASA had that was useful for the post 9/11 build-up
was being taken over by the Pentagon.
And in Sept 2004, the Shuttle Replacement, the X-37B was
transferred to the Pentagon black budget where it's been
a secret program ever since.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-37B
And to complete the NASA takeover, in April 2005, NASA got
a new administrator, Michael Griffin, who used to head In-Q-Tell
a corporation which develops all kinds of intelligence software
for he CIA, NSA and other intelligence agencies. The new
NASA head was a former 'spook' dedicated to all things
anti-terror and rogue states. Reading through it's technology
portfolio, and this company takes on a 'Big Brother' look like
few others I've seen.
In-Q-Tell
http://www.iqt.org/
IQT Technology portfolio.
http://www.iqt.org/technology-portfolio/index-alphabetical.html
Former NASA administrator Michael Griffin."was previously
President and Chief Operating Officer of In-Q-Tel, Inc"
http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/griffin_bio.html
And now President Obama has mouthed the same words
as President Bush concerning the future of NASA, on to
Mars and beyond. But without any funding at all, the goal
is obviously more hot air than anything else. He did fund
the new manned capsule, but little more. Launchers are
being built by the commercial industry soon, but beyond
the Space Station, I don't see any real long term goal
for NASA.
I firmly believe we should 'go back to the future' and
NASA should dedicate itself to paving the way for
Space Solar Power. This idea is becoming closer
to reality every day, there's even a serious start-up
corporation dying to get the ball rolling. It's no
longer a pipe-dream.
Space Energy Inc
http://www.spaceenergy.com/s/Default.htm
Even the Pentagon thinks the idea is now practical.
SBSP As an Opportunity for Strategic Security
http://www.nss.org/settlement/ssp/library/nsso.htm
NASA needs a new goal almost as badly as the
world needs a new and clean energy source.
Repeating Apollo isn't going back to the Moon
It's Saving the World from ourselves again.
Like Apollo did when it helped win the cold war
and provide mountains of inspiration for a
better future.
Space Solar Power is repeating Apollo, as it's a primary solution
to fossil fuels....and climate change. Saving the World from
ourselves once again. NASA could do that again, if enough
people want it badly enough~
Space Energy Inc Presentation
http://www.spaceenergy.com/i/flash/ted_presentation
Space Energy Inc Technical Consultants
http://www.spaceenergy.com/s/TechnicalAdvisors.htm
s