I went through a few ideas about what to post about today for the Friday science-related post. Since I have a congressional hearing on right now about NASA and its future, I'll post about that. This might turn into a rant about how much I dislike politicians.
I noticed a few things:
Congresswoman Giffords talked about how she (and many others) want to see more details about this shift for NASA. I agree with her. Details are important. This seem to be a reoccurring theme in this hearing. I'm not convinces that NASA has the details worked out in full, but Bolden did mention a few programs thay are currently working on.
Congresswoman Fudge had a story where she was talking to a kid who wanted to be an astronaut, and she didn't know what to say to him. She wanted to tell him to think of a new goal, because NASA will not have a maned space flight program. OK, what about private space flight? Can't he work for one of those companies (Boeing, Space X) that will soon have the capabilities to take people to space? There is a weird focus on government funded manned spaceflight, like its government funded manned spaceflight or nothing. I actually think that there is a better chance of me going to space if we have a few private companies that have the ability to get there.
She is also worried about the priorities shifting and having the funding for proposed programs canceled in the near future. If that is your worry, you are in the wrong field. Stuff like that happens in the world of politics all the time. I like to think that if it is a well thought out plan, then it will last.
One overlooked goal of the NASA Bidget is the development of a heavy-lift rocket. NASA is looking long-term, not just at the next ten years. This is the type of thing where government funding is useful. There is almost zero incentive right now for the private spaceflight industry to develop these type of rockets that use new technologies.
Bolden is talking about education in NASA. Important. Possibly the most important. Educating kids about NASA ans space and getting them excited about it is the best way to ensure the future of our space program, be it government or private.
It'll be interesting to see how all this plays out. Congress needs to approve the new NASA budget, and right now there seems to be a lot of resistance.
I noticed a few things:
- Charles Bolden is a really smart guy.
- Congressmen are not. They don't seem to have a grasp of some key issues of science and technology.
- Congressman Wu from Oregon seems like a complete moron, incapable of making a clear argument. My impression of him: "Wahhh, I don't like this because I just don't. Hmmfp."
- Everyone seems to be worried about a human space-flight program.
- Props to Bolden for having to put up with these people. I couldn't do that.
Congresswoman Giffords talked about how she (and many others) want to see more details about this shift for NASA. I agree with her. Details are important. This seem to be a reoccurring theme in this hearing. I'm not convinces that NASA has the details worked out in full, but Bolden did mention a few programs thay are currently working on.
Congresswoman Fudge had a story where she was talking to a kid who wanted to be an astronaut, and she didn't know what to say to him. She wanted to tell him to think of a new goal, because NASA will not have a maned space flight program. OK, what about private space flight? Can't he work for one of those companies (Boeing, Space X) that will soon have the capabilities to take people to space? There is a weird focus on government funded manned spaceflight, like its government funded manned spaceflight or nothing. I actually think that there is a better chance of me going to space if we have a few private companies that have the ability to get there.
She is also worried about the priorities shifting and having the funding for proposed programs canceled in the near future. If that is your worry, you are in the wrong field. Stuff like that happens in the world of politics all the time. I like to think that if it is a well thought out plan, then it will last.
One overlooked goal of the NASA Bidget is the development of a heavy-lift rocket. NASA is looking long-term, not just at the next ten years. This is the type of thing where government funding is useful. There is almost zero incentive right now for the private spaceflight industry to develop these type of rockets that use new technologies.
Bolden is talking about education in NASA. Important. Possibly the most important. Educating kids about NASA ans space and getting them excited about it is the best way to ensure the future of our space program, be it government or private.
It'll be interesting to see how all this plays out. Congress needs to approve the new NASA budget, and right now there seems to be a lot of resistance.
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