🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <KAS.90Jul18175627@casandra.cs.aber.ac.uk>, kas@cs.aber.ac.uk (Kevin Sharp) writes:
> I'd like to make two points. One for either side of this argument.
> 
> 
> 2) In comparing the cost of human life with that of a machine it's as
> well to remember that there's no problem finding volunteer astronauts.
> The calls to ban manned space flight on account of the danger to
> individuals amounts to gross protectionism. 


No one has called for a *ban* on manned space flight, only for an end
to NASA manned space flight, at least until it's safer.  This would
in no way preclude private firms from manned space exploration,
were they not also smart enough to send a machine to test the
waters before risking a Human.

> Such an attitude is
> extremely patronizing towards those who are willing to risk their
> lives for experience of traveling outside the Earth's atmosphere.

Their willingness in no way obliges the taxpayers to pick up
the tab for their 'experience'.


Jeff

-- 
"...the American dream, in recent years the object of much denigration even 
within our own borders, turns out to have been the world's dream, as well."

                  -- Louis Rukeyser on events in Eastern Europe