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Ex-Astronaut Developing Plasma Rocket To Revitalize NASA
TechReviewAl writes "Former astronaut Franklin Chang Diaz believes that the private sector can revitalize NASA, and his company is developing a plasma rocket to back up that claim. Chang Diaz argues that private industry can be used to develop much of the basic technology needed for space exploration, allowing NASA to focus on more sophisticated and critical components. His company, Ad Astra, is developing a variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rocket (VASIMR) that will be used to reposition the International Space Station. Last week, the rocket passed an important milestone in testing — reaching 200 kilowatts (enough to move the ISS). A video of the rocket can be seen on Ad Astra's site."
It was written and submitted by AI. What do you expect? Proper editing?
Although with our modern day aversion to risk, I can't see it getting a very enthusiastic welcome from todays "sailors".
We'll get rid of the aversion to risk beforehand by lining up all of the lawyers in the country and telling them that there was just a car accident near Jupiter. They'll race each other to get there first, after which the rest of us can explore the solar system in peace and quiet ;)
I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
Why is it that nearly every Slashdot thread that mentions private enterprise, becomes populated with these holier-than-thou replies.
"Why shouldn't he/she/it just give away X?" is the question that drives me up the wall.
Let me answer it.
"For the mortgage".
Somehow, a large number of well-fed, well-clothed, and easily-surviving members of Slashdot have gotten into their heads that they (or some proxy of themselves, such as the NASA in this instance) are entitled to the fruits of other people's labors, simply because they exist. "Why doesn't he just give it away!" "Why should doctors make money, aren't they in it to help people?" "Patents and copyright should be abolished". etc... etc... etc...
To be honest, I find that attitude to be far more selfish than any kind of profiteering. It's a product of a life lived with few real difficulties, without denying themselves anything substantial... a live full of luxuries and entitlements.