Re: Why NASA should focus on the Moon, not Mars - Henry Spencer


"Jeff Findley" <jeff.findley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ed34f$4924196b$927a2cda$7604@xxxxxxxxxxx
Why NASA should focus on the Moon, not Mars

Henry Spencer, computer programmer, spacecraft engineer and amateur space
historian (Illustration: NASA)

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2008/11/why-nasa-should-focus-on-the-m.html



As much as I respect Henry's opinion, this is just a recomendation
to try to make a lemon out of lemonade. Not to mention that the
public will see right through the change in goals, and might/will
resent the repackaging.

There's a very simple and direct relationship Henry fails to see
regarding a 'goal' and the likelihood of success. The smaller
and more defined the goal, the less appealing and narrow
will be the public support.

Which means the grander and more ambitious goal tends to
gather the greatest support, and with it the better chance of
success.

We have to face a simple fact of our current reality.

It is MARS and only MARS that can inspire the needed
public support. Unfortunately with the current technology
Mars is so far off into the future that those paying for it
won't be around to see it completed.

Which means we're just /not ready/ for Mars yet.

And the public won't support only the Moon.
So why deny the obvious? The Moon and Mars
are not rational goals. Humanity needs to take
....a step before they become practical.

The only way is to start over from scratch.
And from an inverse frame of reference.

EXPAND the goal, instead of retreating.
FIX a problem, instead of stating a destination.

Design a goal to be popular. As popular as possible.
Not shrink it, as Henry suggests.

Colonizing is about saving us from some imagined calamity
a thousand years out, or a million. This absolutely minimizes
the justification due to a highly 'unfavorable' time-frame
and complete lack of urgency.

The /largest and most urgent/ global problems maximizes
the appeal. And with it the best chance of success.

When setting a goal, always go for 'The Moon' so to speak!
You guys take that expression literally dammit, it's meant
to be taken as a metaphor. "The Moon" in this case
is the globe's most urgent problems, not the most distant
or unlikely.

There are two simple questions needing answers.

1) What are the largest and most urgent global threats
in the eyes of the people?
2) How could NASA envision finding their
solutions given a blank check?


A child could answer those questions as it's just
a matter of /asking/ them. You'll find both already
have their answers....in hand.


Jonathan















.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Why NASA should focus on the Moon, not Mars - Henry Spencer
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