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NASA Seeks Geniuses and Visionaries

Dotnaught writes "The NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts has put out a call for 'revolutionary ideas to advance the Vision for Space Exploration.' Would-be visionaries are invited to submit their ideas by February 13, 2006, as explained in this Call for Proposals. Phase 1 grants range from $50K to $75K. Phase 2 grants go up to $400K. Sample grand visions include how to create a 'self-sustaining, human presence throughout the solar system' and 'truly autonomous robotic operations for exploration and habitation.'" If any Slash users end up with the grants, we call dibs on interviews.

7 of 246 comments (clear)

  1. For the armchari quarterbacks by Belseth · · Score: 3, Informative

    I read it over. They aren't after pitch ideas but formal proposals. That includes detailed cost projections, translated how the money will be spent. You're applying for a grant not throwing ideas out there to win a prize. If you've never applied for a grant it's a waste of your time and theirs. That said it's amazing they are opening wide for grant proposals.

  2. I've Gotten Two... by Jordin · · Score: 5, Informative
    Seriously. I've gotten two NIAC phase 1 awards; the final report on one has been cited previously on Slashdot here. The other was for an interstellar propulsion concept; details here

    NIAC has put out these calls once or twice a year since the late 90's. It's a cool organization, and I'm not saying that just because they've given me grants -- they've funded lots of really good work in many fields. Now if only NASA proper would follow up on more of it...

  3. Re:My idea by Mr.+Slippery · · Score: 4, Informative
    They used to have a much better foam but due to some enviromental concerns they had to stop using it.

    That's a popular meme spread by the likes of Rush Limbaugh, but the truth is the Columbia Accident Investigation Board found that the section of foam that broke off and damaged Columbia had been made with freon.

    This idea that the foam was just fine before we made it freon-free is just more bullshit from the "loot and pollute" segment of the far right. Shame on them for trying to use the deaths of the Columbia crew to prop up their anti-ecology agenda.

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  4. Re:My idea by DigiShaman · · Score: 3, Informative

    Shame on you for putting the blame on Rush Limbaugh. He has nothing to do with this. And I quote from Space.com...

    "NASA has said that the freon-free application method resulted in foam that initially did not adhere to the tank as well, but changes were later made to strengthen the bond of the environmentally friendly foam."
    http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts107_foam_f t_030506.html

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  5. Re:My idea by Vellmont · · Score: 2, Informative

    Sorry, but Rush Limbaugh is 100% guilty in promoting this crap. Here's a link to his actual crappy and massively missinformed quote. http://mediamatters.org/items/200508090007

    His quote came from Aug 3, 2005. The article you quoted came from May 6, 2003.

    Just goes to show if Rush says it, it's probbably wrong.

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  6. Re:My idea by node+3 · · Score: 2, Informative
    Shame on you for putting the blame on Rush Limbaugh. He has nothing to do with this.

    What did Mr. Slippery say? "That's a popular meme spread by the likes of Rush Limbaugh"

    He blamed Limbaugh for being one of the people who spread that popular (but false) meme.

    In Limbaugh's own words (shame on *you* for not even reading the linked site, wherein the words are written):

    "So maybe -- a lot of people are beginning to think that the banning of Freon actually caused the shuttle accident, the Columbia shuttle accident, two flights ago. And I'm inclined to believe it when I hear this."


    And your space.com quote? It doesn't contradict what anyone was saying. The well-annotated Media Matters report clearly points out that the foam that damaged Columbia was applied/created using freon.

    In other words, the EPA regulations (which NASA could legally ignore anyway) did *not* cause the destruction of Columbia. Shame on you for ignoring the facts in order to support an agenda which contradicts reality.
  7. Re:My idea by cheekyboy · · Score: 2, Informative

    Its all PR stunts, that amount of freon is insignificant to the 1000 billion tonnes of coal being burned yearly by USA to make power, that itself spews PURE uranium atoms into the air that we all intake, that otherwise would not be there.

    If the greenies and eco dudes had a clue they would promote safe pebble based nuke plants, concentrated waste is better than 1/2 the planet soaking up waste.

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