Space Shuttle Collectibles

[grimm]

http://rss.com.com/2100-1017-983033.html?t...=feed&subj=news

[Mike AI]

Yeah it is fucked up.

I saw some people on Fox, more talking heads - some just bagging on NASA, saying it should be shut down, blah blah blah.... there are so many defeatist in this nation. They should pack up and head to France...

[grimm]

no kidding, NASA as an organization may be bloated and ineffective at times, but the program nees beter leadership, more streamlined efficiency. it is a vital program.

[PornoDoggy]

I think that anyone who wants to sell debris should be allowed to sell it to NASA in exchange for very good seats to the next Shuttle launch. A nice wooden bleacher about 5 feet away from boosters would provide one hot view of the next launch, don't you think?

[SykkBoy]

Originally posted by grimm@Feb 1 2003, 09:10 PM
no kidding, NASA as an organization may be bloated and ineffective at times, but the program nees beter leadership, more streamlined efficiency. It is a vital program.

While I am a bit of a NASA bagger, I agree that this is the main problem, that it does indeed need to be streamlined. I don't think it should be disbanded but it does definitely need some fat trimmed and needs to be made to run more efficiently. Today's explosion wasn't necessarily a result of that bloat. The bloat has caused NASA to become a huge money pit that has carelessly spent a lot of taxpayer dollars on unnecessary things.

We defiinitely need a strong space program but what's wrong with holding NASA accountable for some of the bloat and careless spending? I don't want to see NASA done away with, just the same accountability as people in this country want applied to politicians....

I should get offf my NASA rant as I've had some probems with the way NASA has been run before today...

[Almighty Colin]

I have some really nice space shuttle memorabilia. Family member used to work at NASA. Would never sell it.

While such catastrophes will probably never seem routine such dangers are part of the job. We've come so far that we forget the fears that an earlier generation had regarding space missions. Space is a dangerous business.

I'm not very familiar with the NASA budget or the excesses some of you have mentioned but I'm pro-NASA. What is a great society without science and art?

[Zebra]

Colin - I have a letter that flew on the Challenger on it's next to last flight. It is stamped before and after it flew and has a "Space Mail" stamp from while it was in orbit.
Whenever my son brings a new friend home I like to show it to them. They always get a kick out of touching something that has been in space before. I bought a really nice telescope a few months ago and my son wants to have some skywatching parties this summer. This year is one of the best in a looong time for viewing Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. Mars will be closer to Earth than it has been in 73,000 years. Jupiter is closer than it has been in 80 years. Saturn hasn't been this close in 30 years. We've braved the cold at night a few times so far to use the telescope. We've seen Saturn close enough to see the divisions in the rings. We've seen Jupiter close enough to see the bands circling the planet (unfortunately the Great Red Spot is almost white right now so we haven't been able to see it yet). Mars is visible in the early AM right before twilight so we haven't seen it yet but by mid-summer it should be visible closer to midnight. We got up one morning and was able to see Venus right before twilight when it is at it's dimmest (if you try to look at night it is too bright to see clearly). Seeing a picture of a planet is one thing, but seeing it for real with your own eyes through a telescope is another. My son is already asking me if he will be able to see them in person when he is older. I can only hope so

[Peaches]

Originally posted by Zebra@Feb 2 2003, 11:57 AM
I bought a really nice telescope a few months ago and my son wants to have some skywatching parties this summer. This year is one of the best in a looong time for viewing Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars.

Zebra, I bought a telescope and I'm too dumb to know what I'm trying to see and what to look at Do you know of any "Stars for Dummies" books or websites? Seriously - I lived here a year before it occurred to me which way was west because that's where I watched the sunset (and when I first programmed the telescope, I told it I lived in Istanbul....I probably should have stuck with binoculars.......I can find the moon though! )

[Rox]

Peaches, try this:

http://stardate.org/

[Peaches]

Originally posted by Rox@Feb 2 2003, 12:18 PM
Peaches, try this:

http://stardate.org/

Thanks, Rox! Now, come to my house and show me how to use this damn thing

[Almighty Colin]

Zebra,

Damn! Nice telescope. I can't see the banding on Saturn's rings (The rings themselves are easy to see, of course).

Peaches,

Just point at the brightest objects in the sky. You'll catch some planets. This is easier if you live in the city. Less to choose from.

[T-Rav]

I'm a huge NASA fan...I think the space program is absolutely necessary and I truly believe some great advances have come from that program. I don't know much about how it is run or the particulars.

I think everyone knows the risks, and I don't mean to sound harsh but I don't believe this is a tragedy. I think the astronauts knew what risks they were taking. When you consider everything that can go wrong on a space flight I think it is an absolute miracle that more accidents don't happen. There are always big risks for big advancements in humanity.

On a side note: I don't necessarily agree with selling debis from the flight, but if someone can sell it to some sucker, then so be it...

I wouldn't sell it (well, maybe I would if the price was right), but I sure as hell wouldn't buy it (well, maybe I would if the price was right)...I really don't see the problem with it now that I think about it...sure it SOUNDS bad from a societal point of view, but so does selling internet port...and we obviously don't have a problem with that...

There you have it...