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President Trump Is Sending NASA Back To The Moon (npr.org)

Posted by msmash on from the up-next dept.

President Trump has formally told NASA to send U.S. astronauts back to the moon. From a report: "The directive I'm signing today will refocus America's space program on human exploration and discovery," he said. Standing at the president's side as he signed "Space Policy Directive 1" on Monday was Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt, one of the last two humans to ever walk on the moon, in a mission that took place 45 years ago this week. Since that time, no human has ventured out beyond low-Earth orbit. NASA doesn't even have its own space vehicle, having retired the space shuttles in 2011. Americans currently ride up to the international space station in Russian capsules, though private space taxis are expected to start ferrying them up as soon as next year.

5 of 307 comments (clear)

  1. BS. The headline is a lie. by mcmonkey · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Saying something is not the same as doing.

    If the president wants NASA to send men to the moon, stop signing directives and sign a check instead.

    Also, veto the tax plan (if it ever reaches your desk) which would increase the cost of graduate studies that produce that sorts of scientists and engineers who put people on the moon.

  2. No Need to Go to the Moon or Mars by sycodon · · Score: 4, Interesting

    We don't need to be shooting people through space in tin cans.

    At this point we have three options.

    1. Continue pissing in the wind with half funded programs, then cancelling them partway through.
    2. Go Full Robotic.
    3. Build an for real spaceship.

    I vote #3

    A For Real Spaceship is...

    1. Multi megawatt reactor for power.
    2. Magnetic shielding.
    3. Rotating living and working section for artificial gravity
    4. Complete closed loop environmental system.
    5. Non-chemical engines.

    I would also throw in a descent and ascent module, but they can be added later since they will required chemical rockets regardless.

    Every one of these required technologies (except 3...a NASA engineer told me they've done it already) would spur innovation on the same level as the Apollo program. When complete, we could then jump in and go where we want...among the moon and Mars at least.

    --
    When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
    1. Re:No Need to Go to the Moon or Mars by sycodon · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Well, on the one hand, that's the entire point of this kind of endeavor, no? Take Sci Fi and turn it into reality? That's happened pretty much with Apollo.

      On the other hand, Ion engines are a thing. Experimental, but functional. Still on a shoestring budget. So I expect those could really be ramped up with 50 megawatts of power available.

      --
      When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
    2. Re:No Need to Go to the Moon or Mars by superdave80 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Yeah, it's not like NASA could ever develop something like an ion engine https://www.nasa.gov/centers/g...

  3. Check the couch for change. by Charcharodon · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Most of NASAs is eaten up by paychecks. Cut the number of admin people by 2/3rd and voila you have a enough budget surplus for all manner of space missions.

    Better yet. Cut welfare/social spending at the Federal level by 1% and you can add another $23Billion dollars to NASA's anemic $17B budget.