Where Should Space Exploration Go From Here?

Lovejoy asks: "I have done extensive reading since the Columbia tragedy about what's next for human space exploration. Most of the punditry agrees that extending the shuttle program for many more years is a bad idea. So what are the practical alternatives? I've seen ideas for new spacecraft, a carbon nanotube space elevator, among other things. What are the best ideas you've seen? Will the best idea win, or the one with the most pork barrel contracts? Does space travel/exploration have to be THIS expensive? What are the best short term/long term solutions?"

Since Congress has been steadily cutting back on support for NASA, Nick suggests this idea: "I'm sure there are many taxpayers out there like me that would love to see NASA's budget doubled. The problem is there isn't enough support to get congress to increase the budget by that amount, and I really don't want people to pay that don't care to. I propose an opt-in, one-time contribution box added to tax returns. I would require that my money be used only to advance the space program with either a shuttle replacement, an extra crew compartment for the space station, or a launch vehicle for a manned trip to Mars. Would you support a bill that would allow taxpayers to voluntarily contribute money to NASA? Are you ready to put your coin where your Dreams are?"

Comments

Re:The obvious answer

[buswolley]

mars. mars. mars. ha ha we go to mars we go. mars. mars. we go to mars we go ha ha. jimmy eat mars. ha ha oh mars symphony. save ma red s. ma red s. mars. mars. mars. mars. mars. mars.mars. mars. mars. mars. mars. mars. mars. mars.mars. mars. mars. mars. mars. mars. mars. mars.

Re:Next gen vehicles

[XO]

Nuclear powered plasma would work great in an atmosphere...if you don't mind dumping a very highly radioactive plume all over Florida.

1. I wouldn't mind that one bit, at least then we'd have one less state to completely screw up elections in.

2. Since Bush is in power, sounds like the perfect space vehicle Weapon. Drop a radioactive plume on iRaq.

Re:Make it cheap, and they will come

[cosmosis]

Sure it is. Its completely feasible, just not politically viable in the current pork barrel climate. Please re-read my post for clarification. I'm all for sending unmanned probes into space to further our scientific knowledge. But going their first hand is what it's all about. That is what drives peoples spirit. Thats why motivated nearly all of space development from Goddard to Von Braun. Wilbur and Wright didn't invent the airplane so it could fly unmanned. The whole point - is going up there ourselves! Star Trek, Star Wars, they are both popular because people are travelling in space. Thats where the freedom lies, no matter what the costs.

The good news: we can get there cheap. The coming economics of afordable space travel will inevitably lead us there. Politics can only hold back this spirit for so long. Bring on the carbon nanotubes!

Planet P Blog - Liberty with Technology.