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NASA Consider "Demanning" Space Station
Heartbreak writes "James Oberg, in an article for MSNBC, says that NASA is making contingency plans to leave the International Space Station without a permanent crew for up to a year if the Russians can't deliver the required Soyuz and Progress spacecraft to support it. A serviceable Soyuz is required to evacuate the crew in an emergency when the US Shuttle isn't there, and Progress is needed for resupply. The Russian space program is doddering on the edge of financial collapse after several recent setbacks, including the failure of Lance Bass to pay up.
What SF writer could have imagined that humanity's dream of exploring space would be brought to the edge of extinction by the financial irresponsibility of a pop music star? It would be a boring and depressing story, at best." Of course, some would argue that the space station was a boondoogle to start with.
So give Lance a ride up to the station for free, then present the bill when it's time to go back home. If he doesn't pay, let him walk.
For the sake of everyone on Earth, I think it would be best to put all the Backstreet Boys and N*Sync in the ISS. Because in space, noone can hear you sing.
You wouldn't find me not paying the Russian government - what with the KGB and all. Not to mention all the corrupt Generals who are probably now looking to make a name for themselves by freeing the world from the likes Lance Bass. He is either very brave, or very stupid.
All I know is that when I'm building a bomb shelter in my backyard becuase Lance caused another missile crisis, and we're counting on Junior to save our asses, I'm gonnd be hella-pissed.
_sig_ is away
Like anyone was really living in space to begin with. Sounds like the studio is just kicking NASA out to make way for another reality TV series.
First the Russians ended up losing the Mir because they could not get a deal to go through to save it and use it for a hotel, hence Mircorp.
Now they are trashing the Space Station too since they can not keep up their side of the bargain.
Send Lance Bass to China next!
He can help us end communism their too....
This submission has been sensored by China Communist Party since the words Lance Bass is in the article (see sometimes censorship is a good thing!)
I have to wonder, who made the decision to depend upon the russians for financial support.
I mean how bad can it be that you have to financially depend on a group that depends upon Lance Bass for financial support?
somebody oughta get fired for this one....
So not only is Lance a Plague to Earth, but he has just indirectly become a plague to space as well. Thanks......
I knew this would happen. It's always a bad idea to be rushin' space modules. They're complicated.
"I only speak the truth"
Karma: null(Mostly affected by an unassigned variable)
Blackmailing the rest of the world might work even better: If you don't make your montly payments we'll bring him back! ;)
Karma. Moderation. Is my
He is either very brave, or very stupid.
He's broke, on account of being ripped off by those nasty P2P criminals.
"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them." -- George H. W. Bush
The space experience would have been lost on Lance - he's a nimrod of the first stripe.
We should take up a collection and send up someone who would at least be entertaining to watch in space:
OZZY!!!
You know you're a geek if you've ever replied to a tagline.
What is the point of he ISS? If NSA's actually ging to use it for somthing other than a pretty light the sky, then keep it going, oterwise no. Whateverhappenedto all this research that could be done in zero-grav. I haven't seen any of it. All that asie, i'd still be happy to runte lae wile nasa's gone. I usthope Dominos delvrs up there. Who wants to bet on the number of "in soviet russia" posts this one gets?
In related news, the Russians are considering 'demanning' Lance Bass
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What SF writer could have imagined that humanity's dream of exploring space would be brought to the edge of extinction by the financial irresponsibility of a pop music star?
What SF writer could have imagined a government that would make a significant portion of humanity's dream of exporing space dependant on an irresponsible pop star?
Now, we're bringing home everyone from orbit.
Give it another few years, and we'll be crawling back into the oceans.
On the contrary, the ISS is a great science aid. As it orbits the earth, it proves that Newtonian physics applies even to very big, heavy, oddly shaped objects. Fortunately, this valuable validation of Newton's theories works equally well whether the station is manned or not.
I look forward to the ISS orbiting for many years as it helps to show the time invariance of Newton's laws of nature.
" ... Of course, some would argue that the space station was a boondoogle to start with..."
Hmmm.. I'd say its more of a space-dongle (and poorly implemented at that).
m
In related news, reports are beginning to surface that demanning slashdot.org might not be such a bad idea, given that computers would be better than humans at spotting duplicate stories.
Watch the Teaser Trailer for "The Lightning Thief" Her
The first pioneer from New York who wanted to settle California probably didn't make it all the way - he probably stopped part way, and helped establish a town, and the next guy coming through was able to get farther.
And look at what happened.
We now have Cleveland.
www.christopherlewis.com
"Deman" ISS by sending up a crew of hot-looking Russkie and American women. Install webcams everywhere, and charge by the hour. Boom! Instant solvency. I bet even Lance Bass will subscribe.
It would produce some unique science...
This is my post. There are many others like it. If you don't like what you read here, go try one of the others.
"...the RIAA recently declared MP3 music sharing led to the failure of the International Space Station, as reduced CD sales left Lance Bass unable to purchase his flight to the orbiting rathole."
...
Well if those pesky rebels hadn't destroyed the first fully-operational station, we wouldn't have to hobble along doing shoddy science with this partially completed one.
Am I the only one who heard Roxette to sing "I'm gonna get blitzed for some sex"?
Space station considers "demanning" NASA
"The Russian space program is doddering on the edge of financial collapse after several recent setbacks, including the failure of Lance Bass to pay up"
Yet one more reason to hate 'Nsync.
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While I agree that space exploration is important, let me make this analogy.
Having the space station while we also have the space shuttle, is much like building a cabin out in the woods when you already have a recreational vehicle.