I'm skeptical about a moon base being useful in getting to Mars. I think money would be better spent developing technology to get robotic probes to Mars and other locations faster than we currently do, and getting samples back. Seems like we'd want to be able to do that before sending people anyway. A moon base would be a smaller gravity well, but I suspect that the benefit of building things there would be offset by the difficulties of building things there.
See, in my fantasy, when I'm kissing you... you're kissing me. It's okay. I can wait.
Oz ,'First Date'
Natter 36: But We Digress...
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Gudanov - Jun 15, 2005 9:17:06 am PDT #2143 of 10001
Coding and Sleeping
DavidS - Jun 15, 2005 9:17:29 am PDT #2144 of 10001
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
I did not know that Dean Stockwell was in Blue Velvet. I mean, it's been probably 10 years since I saw it, but I don't remember him in it at all.
He lipsyncs Roy Orbison while singing into a lightbulb while being thoroughly decadent, drugged up and fey.
-t - Jun 15, 2005 9:17:33 am PDT #2145 of 10001
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
The base on Antarctica is doing okay, isn't it?
Lilty Cash - Jun 15, 2005 9:17:35 am PDT #2146 of 10001
"You see? THAT's what they want. Love, and a bit with a dog."
Got it, Dana. Thank you so much! I'm going to go get some groceries and listen to it in the car, and undoubtably weep my ass off. Score!
sarameg - Jun 15, 2005 9:24:54 am PDT #2147 of 10001
Not to be too terribly crass, but until the culture of NASA gets over being squeamish about people dying, I don't see it doing too well in the manned space business. The only thing the shuttle is allowed to do right now is to visit a moneysuck/lifeboat because *gasp* space is dangerous.
That's a tremendous culture to overcome.
Connie Neil - Jun 15, 2005 9:27:52 am PDT #2148 of 10001
brillig
LOS OLIVOS, Calif. - Michael Jackson's accuser is distressed and having "a difficult time" dealing with the not guilty verdict against the pop singer, the prosecutor in the molestation case said Wednesday. Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon told NBC's "Today" that he spoke to the accuser immediately after Jackson was acquitted on all counts Monday.
Probably realizing he's going to have to cover all those promises he made when he thought he was going to make big bucks off the case.
tommyrot - Jun 15, 2005 9:28:14 am PDT #2149 of 10001
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.
OTOH, the Space Shuttle has two basic design flaws that have been recognized since the '70s, and which were responsible for the two shuttle accidents. So just about anything else should offer a significant improvement in safety.
eta: I think the shuttle is much safer as a result of work done since the two accidents, but OTOH, losing two shuttles in a little over 100 missions is a rather high accident rate.
Kat - Jun 15, 2005 9:28:59 am PDT #2150 of 10001
"I keep to a strict diet of ill-advised enthusiasm and heartfelt regret." Leigh Bardugo
How old is he now? He's still an adolescent, right?
flea - Jun 15, 2005 9:29:20 am PDT #2151 of 10001
information libertarian
As long as all the meetings of all the committees and groups and teams exist to recommend things rather than actually making them happen, we never have to do any work. On the down side, it means the meetings go on forever.
Wait, do you work at the same place that I work or something???
sarameg - Jun 15, 2005 9:32:04 am PDT #2152 of 10001
The problem isn't the vehicle, it is the culture. It's incredibly risk averse.
Eh, I probably shouldn't get into it. NASA, to me, is an incredibly leaden bureaucracy. When it comes to big missions, I'm just really doubtful that they can be at all visionary. Its time has passed, short of blowing it apart and starting over. Smaller, contracted out missions, sure, but...
eta: Dude, they named a telescope after an administrator. That's just not done.