Halt the Space Program

jspchief · 04-22-2006, 09:04 AM

In light of the current problem with oil dependency, and triggered by Jenkins' $8k thread, I've decided to throw out an idea.

What if the US put NASA and the space program on hold for X number of years, and instead used those resources to research alternate fuel technology for autos?

The first thing that comes to mind is the brain power involved. NASA has to be about the largest collection of intelligence on the government payroll. Let these scientists start working on something that has immediate real world implications.

After the brains of the operation, comes the finance. The amount of money spent on research and space missions is astronomical (pun). We would be able to pour more money into alternative fuel research than every auto maker in the world combined would ever consider spending.

As far as I can imagine, the sticking point would be the actual halting of our space program. But as far as I know, we are already leaders in the field, and I can't see any reason why it matters if we fall a few years behind. There are plenty of idealogical reasons why America wants to lead the pack, but do they really compare to what might be accomplished in it's stead?

So here's the tentative plan:
1. A time limit, say 5-10 years. At the end of that limit, the research is either

Submitted for an extension if progress is being made
Turned over to US auto makers to let them continue research from the foundation the government built
Halted because we've found a viable solution

2. If a solution is found, the details/technology could be

Sold to automakers, or
Patented and licensed to automakers for a fee

At the end of it all, we have put more money and research into this problem than the private industry ever will. We could also tax the use of this technology to recoup some of the money spent (what's the last NASA project that did that?) And then we'll resume the scientific scavenger hunt that is our space program.

I'm sure there are flaws to my idea, and I welcome you to point them out (as if I had to ask). I'm just trying to think outside the box.

stevieray · 04-22-2006, 09:07 AM

I wonder if the shuttle comes in Chiefs red.

**Skip Towne** · 04-22-2006, 09:08 AM

Sounds like a plan. But would the gubment ever do something that made so much sense?

JBucc · 04-22-2006, 09:08 AM

Sounds like a pretty good idea. So it won't happen.

**CosmicPal** · 04-22-2006, 09:09 AM

No. I want to live like The Jetsons. Keep firing them rockets.

**Dunit35** · 04-22-2006, 09:10 AM

I know there are millions of things in space that have yet to be learned, but I feel like a reason for so much space explorations is because it makes the U.S. say to themselves " We found this out before anybody else, we are better than you."

This is a good idea Jsp and would do more good for us then the space program right now.

StcChief · 04-22-2006, 09:10 AM

I'd Agree to slow the space program to get an alternative energy up and running in America

Thumb our noise at Oil creeps in their glorified 3rd world.

jspchief · 04-22-2006, 09:11 AM

I should add, there's plenty of room to go off on political tangents about the government and their use of our tax money. As it pertains to my idea, feel free to discuss it.

Just try and refrain from turning this into a DC thread. I'd like to get the reaction of the entire board before this gets turned into another partisan pissing match.

jspchief · 04-22-2006, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBucc

Sounds like a pretty good idea. So it won't happen.

You know, you're right. It won't ever happen. It's too outside of the comfort zone of our government. I can almost hear the voices of the politicians summarily dismissing it.

It's too bad. It could quite possibly be the most progressive use of our tax dollars in history, by not only meeting the needs of the average citizen, but also severely decreasing the diplomatic scrotum vice that the middle east has us in.

kregger · 04-22-2006, 09:14 AM

What, and not let GWB find his little green men?

**CosmicPal** · 04-22-2006, 09:15 AM

Well, if you want to know- a great many scientists are not happy with Bush and his Mars mission. Most scientists want to go back to the moon. They want to put a telescope on the moon so we can see even further into space since there is no atmoshpere or anything like that on the moon.

I have no problem doing that. After that though, if we're not discovering anything new or resourceful- then drop the program for a few years.

**Skip Towne** · 04-22-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kregger

What, and not let GWB find his little green men?

fuck a bunch of little green men. I want my SUV!!!

kregger · 04-22-2006, 09:20 AM

Actually, I think more of the scientists are excited about Hubble 2 than the moon scope.

BucEyedPea · 04-22-2006, 09:20 AM

When the price of oil gets too high alternatives will develop...and they are as we speak. "We" as in gov't research will lead to nowhere.

jspchief · 04-22-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kregger

What, and not let GWB find his little green men?

The space program has been in existence long before GWB came along.

If you don't have anything constructive to add to the conversation, at least try and refrain from bringing it down with partisan tripe.

View Poll Results: Would you consider halting the space program to research ways to reduce dependency on
Yes, I'd consider it if the plan was solid	33	53.23%
No, the space race is too important for us to fall behind	26	41.94%
Is Gaz from space?	3	4.84%
Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll

04-22-2006, 09:04 AM
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	Halt the Space Program In light of the current problem with oil dependency, and triggered by Jenkins' $8k thread, I've decided to throw out an idea. What if the US put NASA and the space program on hold for X number of years, and instead used those resources to research alternate fuel technology for autos? The first thing that comes to mind is the brain power involved. NASA has to be about the largest collection of intelligence on the government payroll. Let these scientists start working on something that has immediate real world implications. After the brains of the operation, comes the finance. The amount of money spent on research and space missions is astronomical (pun). We would be able to pour more money into alternative fuel research than every auto maker in the world combined would ever consider spending. As far as I can imagine, the sticking point would be the actual halting of our space program. But as far as I know, we are already leaders in the field, and I can't see any reason why it matters if we fall a few years behind. There are plenty of idealogical reasons why America wants to lead the pack, but do they really compare to what might be accomplished in it's stead? So here's the tentative plan: 1. A time limit, say 5-10 years. At the end of that limit, the research is either Submitted for an extension if progress is being made Turned over to US auto makers to let them continue research from the foundation the government built Halted because we've found a viable solution 2. If a solution is found, the details/technology could be Sold to automakers, or Patented and licensed to automakers for a fee At the end of it all, we have put more money and research into this problem than the private industry ever will. We could also tax the use of this technology to recoup some of the money spent (what's the last NASA project that did that?) And then we'll resume the scientific scavenger hunt that is our space program. I'm sure there are flaws to my idea, and I welcome you to point them out (as if I had to ask). I'm just trying to think outside the box.
Posts: 27,207

04-22-2006, 09:07 AM	#2
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2605273	I wonder if the shuttle comes in Chiefs red.
Posts: 71,194

04-22-2006, 09:08 AM	#3
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Sounds like a plan. But would the gubment ever do something that made so much sense?
Posts: 69,689

04-22-2006, 09:08 AM	#4
JBucc MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Casino cash: $10004952	Sounds like a pretty good idea. So it won't happen.
Posts: 12,016

04-22-2006, 09:09 AM	#5
CosmicPal Learn it. Know it. Live it. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Casino cash: $10004900	No. I want to live like The Jetsons. Keep firing them rockets. __________________ - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - Four blessings upon my fellow planeteers: Older whiskey, younger women, faster horses, and more money.
Posts: 10,840

04-22-2006, 09:10 AM	#6
Dunit35 Keepin it Real Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oklahoma Casino cash: $1557045	I know there are millions of things in space that have yet to be learned, but I feel like a reason for so much space explorations is because it makes the U.S. say to themselves " We found this out before anybody else, we are better than you." This is a good idea Jsp and would do more good for us then the space program right now.
Posts: 10,489

04-22-2006, 09:10 AM	#7
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	I'd Agree to slow the space program to get an alternative energy up and running in America Thumb our noise at Oil creeps in their glorified 3rd world. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

04-22-2006, 09:11 AM	#8
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	I should add, there's plenty of room to go off on political tangents about the government and their use of our tax money. As it pertains to my idea, feel free to discuss it. Just try and refrain from turning this into a DC thread. I'd like to get the reaction of the entire board before this gets turned into another partisan pissing match. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

04-22-2006, 09:14 AM	#10
kregger thick as a brick Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: alpha centauri Casino cash: $10004925	What, and not let GWB find his little green men?
Posts: 964

04-22-2006, 09:15 AM	#11
CosmicPal Learn it. Know it. Live it. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Casino cash: $10004900	Well, if you want to know- a great many scientists are not happy with Bush and his Mars mission. Most scientists want to go back to the moon. They want to put a telescope on the moon so we can see even further into space since there is no atmoshpere or anything like that on the moon. I have no problem doing that. After that though, if we're not discovering anything new or resourceful- then drop the program for a few years. __________________ - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - Four blessings upon my fellow planeteers: Older whiskey, younger women, faster horses, and more money.
Posts: 10,840

04-22-2006, 09:20 AM	#13
kregger thick as a brick Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: alpha centauri Casino cash: $10004925	Actually, I think more of the scientists are excited about Hubble 2 than the moon scope.
Posts: 964

04-22-2006, 09:20 AM	#14
BucEyedPea Gimme My Berries Back! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: None of your business Casino cash: $3489963	When the price of oil gets too high alternatives will develop...and they are as we speak. "We" as in gov't research will lead to nowhere.
Posts: 161,790