Hack in Space

MelloDawg writes: "From the press release: NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) spacecraft, which some had given up for dead in December after critical guidance components failed, was returned to full operations when the team developed an innovative new guidance system. The system uses a complex new set of procedures that lets controllers use electromagnets in the satellite to push and pull on the Earth's magnetic field. Details of the mission are online."

Comments

Re:NASA these days

[PhoenixK7]

Everyone seems to think that since many of the outward looking missions are having trouble that NASA isn't really doing much, check out all the reasearch thats being done on our actual planet. NASA has been collecting huge amounts information about Earth's atmosphere, oceans and land, and they've been doing important analyses. I'd suggest you check out places like:

earth.nasa.gov
earthobservatory.nasa.gov
terra.nasa.gov
data assimilation office

and for image products:

visibleearth.nasa.gov

NASA does alot of interesting earth science too!

Re:NASA's troubles

[Rogerborg]

• to people bemoaning the absense of mars missions and moon bases. Why go?

We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon. . . . Not because it is easy, but because it is hard. . . . Because there is new knowledge to be gained. We shall send to the moon--240,000 miles away--from the control station in Houston, a giant rocket more than 300 feet tall, made of new metal alloys, some of which have not yet been invented . . . on an untried mission . . . on the greatest adventure.

Now, I'm a pretty cynical old bastard, but those words, nearly forty years on, still choke me up. To me, the defining quality of humanity is that our reach can exceed our grasp.

It's impossible (I think) to justify space exploration in any rational or economic terms. But if "because it's there" isn't justification enough, then that's a sad indicator we have become society of navel gazers and bean counters. And history shows us that societies only go one way once they've reached that stage.

You're right that the space race was based on competition. But I believe that still applies, and if we no longer want to compete, sooner or later we will be superceded by a society that does.