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NASA Proposes Manned Asteroid Mission

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the summon-bruce-willis dept.

eldavojohn writes "NASA has proposed a manned asteroid mission to a near earth object. They mention this being viewed as a "gap-filler" to keep the public's attention between a lunar exploration & manned mars mission. The article also cites these goals as in line with the Constellation Program. From the article, 'Furthermore, a human venture to a space rock may well accelerate precursor robotic surveys of asteroids, Schweickart observed. "Early unmanned visits to asteroids ... it's the same pattern as we did with the Moon and we're doing right now with Mars. It's all pretty logical," he told SPACE.com.'"

8 of 219 comments (clear)

  1. This is important by B11 · · Score: 4, Funny

    The experience we get from a mission to asteroids could serve us well in the event that one heads towards earth. I mean, Bruce Willis isn't getting any younger.

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    insert inflammatory anti-microsoft comment here
  2. So does this mean... by Mayhem178 · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...that when the special edition of Armageddon is released, it'll be marked as "based on a true story?"

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    "You will pay for your lack of vision..." - Emperor Palpatine to Ray Charles

  3. Better than Armageddon? by viper21 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Like NASA can do better than Armageddeon?

    Maybe if they get Steve Buscemi to pilot the mission they have a chance.

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    We Apprentice Developers and Designers
  4. move that sucker into orbit by Gospodin · · Score: 2, Funny

    Can we put some small ion engines on the asteroid? Because if we do that and can feed the engines with asteroid dust, we can move it into Earth orbit within my lifetime. And that would just be too cool.

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    ...following the principles of Heisenburger's Uncertain Cat...
  5. Re:Best make sure there's solid ground by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, I sure hope someone at NASA reads your post, otherwise they'll just blast a rocket full of people up there and hope for the best.

  6. Landing words by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    This is no cave... !!!

  7. Re:Hi. Can I go please? by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 2, Funny

    I for one can think of many, many celebrities I'd like to fire at asteroids and then forget about. Finally, a use for Tyra Banks!

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  8. Paris Hilton in space by alienmole · · Score: 2, Funny

    Not doing PR will guarantee that the entire Space Program ends up being nothing but a bunch of expensive lawn ornaments and a theme park in Florida.
    ...
    The primary goal of the space program should be to ensure its own future existence, and that means keeping the public interested. If that means going and sending some guy up to stand on an asteroid for a photo op next to a flag, so be it. It's that sort of thing which will keep the money flowing.

    But in that case, why not just cut to the chase? If the space program depends for its success on being entertainment for the masses, then the obvious solution is to send Paris Hilton into space to do a reality show.