Second source, not open source, is the key

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NASA lost its mission and now its just another government agency

There's a saying, it goes like this:

"Close enough for government work!"

But you do have a point about NASA being inefficient.
First problem is the lack of funds. NASA doesn't make a profit, and it's as true in the space program as anywhere else: having resources is better.

NASA lost its focus and became just another competing government agency. Nothing demonstrates this better than their killing of Saturn V (best heavy lift vehicle ever built) to insure there was no competition to the Shuttle, and their willingness to let Hubble fall out of the sky to insure the funds for its replacement are guarenteed.

Hubble is worth saving even if it is replaced with a better tool for the bleeding edge of science. Dedicate Hubble to teaching kids Astronmy and Science and we won't need to worry about kids being left behind.

Every dollar invested in NASA has paid back multiple times leading to technology like freeze dried food and integrated circuits.

But, rather than let the scientists run the show its controlled by bureaucrats and politicians. Challanger went up when the Engineers objected due to icing conditions, and Columbia went down also due to icing damage. And we have politicians and bureaucrats hiding the facts in both cases, quite simply, bith failures were documented flaws in the design which could lead to system failure. The program is on target with 2% failure, unfortunately 2% failure over 100 missions led to the loss of two Shuttles. Something like 60% of the missions could have been done cheaper and better with unmanned vehicles but its not sexy enough to please the "system" so the Engineers and Scientists are ignored!

Posted by: oldskool   Posted on: 06/17/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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