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Space Tourist Standards
Snuffleupagus writes: "I found an interesting story at cnn.com about NASA's new standards for civilian space travel. It looks like if you have a history of drinking, lying and cheating you won't be going into space anytime soon, no matter how much money you have. Looks like I'll be stuck here on Earth for awhile." The guidelines for future space tourists are on NASA's site.
somehow I don't think the russians will care.
Of course if I say to NASA "I'll give you a billion dollars to send me into space, I have a funny feeling they wouldn't care much either.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Other disqualifying traits: criminal, dishonest, infamous or notoriously disgraceful conduct; intentional false statement or fraud; habitual use of intoxicating beverages to excess; abuse of narcotics, drugs or other controlled substances; and....*drum roll please*.......
membership or sponsorship in organizations which adversely affect the public's confidence in the space station or its partners.
We have been saying for years that NASA is screwy...guess none of us will get to go.
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"membership or sponsorship in organizations which adversely affect the public's confidence in the space station or its partners."
Does that mean that a millionaire with a passion for space might be banned for... say... being a member of Greenpeace, because they might think badly of McDonell Douglas for its role as an arms manufacturer?
Maybe I'm being overly alarmist, but the implications that this clause can diqualify anyone who is even loosely related to anyone that does not wholeheartedly support large corporate power is a little disconcerting.
There are a thousand forms of subversion, but few can equal the convenience and immediacy of a cream pie -Noel Godin
So, how about membership in the National Rifle Association? Veterans of Foreign Wars? Republican Party? Roman Catholic Church?
If you've ever publicly criticised NASA, you're SOL.
I mean, this single paragraph allows them to deny you for any or no reason at all.
668: Neighbour of the Beast
At least from what you pick up from "The Right Stuff" drinkin' and driving was an admired ability amongst the eary crews. Not a very good role model tho, not at all.
try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
Though Gates has done some good things with his money.. He's opened/equipped a library in TN, to start with.
Gates has done a hell of a lot more then that... He's spent more money tackling things like AIDS and vaccinations in africa and other poor parts of the world then most tech CEOs are worth.
Not that he isn't a bastard, but I don't think he would really want to spend money sending people to the moon, it dosn't really help anyone and it's already been done.
autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
I skimmed over the guidelines for selection in this document and they interestingly look VERY similar to the guidelines for a fed security clearance. (including those about drinking and moral misconduct, which I think are there to prevent blackmail being used to get classified information out of you) ie, if you are working at a military contractor, etc. I wonder if there's any correlation?