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Can Manned Spaceflight Save the Economy?

Posted by Cliff on from the space-race-of-the-21st-century dept.

Barry asks: "Driving home last night I was listening to a particularly goofy AM talk station. Just before the syndicated UFO talk show 'Strange Days... Indeed' came on, the discussion turned to the Mars Rovers and George Bush's newfound love of space exploration. The interesting thought was that a large number of American political leaders were about to join Bush in endorsing a new manned space program because it would generate 'millions of jobs'. Given that manufacturing jobs are being shipped offshore, and high tech jobs are following, this almost made sense. A primarily unemployed population could mean big trouble. So I am wondering how many people were employed during the height of NASA's glory days, and what kind of economic impact would we expect if a similar program - a Mars mission for example - were launched today?"

8 of 224 comments (clear)

  1. Lunar penal colony? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Perhaps Bush has just figured out that the moon is an even better place to house those he doesn't like than Guantanamo -- after all, NONE of Terran laws apply there! Plus, there are endless hours of entertainment watching them try to figure out how to face Mecca when they pray!

  2. A new solution! by Randy+Wang · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well, sounds like they're getting ready for it, whether it'll fix the economy or not.

    On the other hand, if it fails to do anything, they could just use the newly developed technology to shoot the unemployed into space!

    --
    --- Egads, I glow in the dark!
  3. Wrong headline! by toolz · · Score: 4, Funny

    It should be

    Can Manned Spaceflight Save George Bush?

    --
    You aren't remembered for doing what is expected of you
    1. Re:Wrong headline! by shadowbearer · · Score: 2, Funny

      If he'd get me off this planet, I'd even shine his shoes.

      As long as I don't have to call him "Scotty"; I'd not insult Mr. Doohan so badly. :/

      (nevermind the underbreath cursing :)

      SB

      --
      It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
    2. Re:Wrong headline! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      If he'd get me off this planet, I'd even shine his shoes.

      I'd shine his knob.

    3. Re:Wrong headline! by kommakazi · · Score: 2, Funny

      You got it wrong too buddy...
      Save Manned Spaceflight. Can George Bush!

    4. Re:Wrong headline! by Wolfrider · · Score: 2, Funny

      Canned Ham Achieves Spaceflight! George Bush eats Spam(tm)!

      --
      .
      == WolfriderV6 == I'm willing to admit that *I just might* be wrong... Are you??
  4. Re:ummm flawed logic? by AllUsernamesAreGone · · Score: 3, Funny

    The one reliable thing I learnt from my economics course: to economists the real world is a special case.