🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <neff.13.725750112@iaiowa.physics.uiowa.edu>
neff@iaiowa.physics.uiowa.edu (John S. Neff) writes:
 
>When JFK gave his speech in 1961 he talked about intangible benefits from
>an effort to put AMERICANS on the moon. I don't recall that he said anything
>about science and technology as a reasons for making the effort. There were
>many benefits including scientific and technical ones from the Apollo
>program. Was the money well spent? I think most people would say yes.
>
  Well, we must keep in mind that the putting man on the moon was part
of the "Space Race", and therefore greatly influenced by the Cold War
attitudes.  Modern critics may need better justification than national
prestige.  All-in-all, though, the nationalism that was/can be generated
is an excellent reason to support the space program.  Unfortunately, the
rhetoric used by Kennedy won't really work anymore.
>Today we have AMERICANS in space on an occasional basis, with the possibility
>of more or less continuous presence of AMERICANS in space within the next
>decade. Is this worth what it costs? If the majority of the people think
>so we will keep on with this program, if not we won't. There is no such
>thing as an inexpensive space program and in particular a manned space
>program. If we worked hard at mundane things like industrial engieering
>we might be able to reduce the cost of placing something in LEO by
>perhaps 50%. That would be a good thing but it will not make it possible
>for Joe Six Pack to vacation in space.
   Space IS a marketable industry in my opinion.
                                -Brad Porter
DRPORTER@SUVM
Anything mentioned as an opinion is an opinion and does not necessarily have
facts to support it.