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**etdgxcnc** · 08-19-2009, 11:39 PM

We are inhibited in doing interesting things in space because of the prohibitively expensive way that we run our space program. There is no law of physics that says that space programs are to be so expensive.

The money that we spend is about 1/3rd to 1/4th as efficient as the Soviet space program. Just think about what that means. And weep. The only way that we won the space race is by spending the Soviets under -- basically, the gov't spending money on worthless stuff instead of taxpayers spending money on what they think is worthwhile.

Spending $x billion on big rockets run by the gov't will not change the system. Instead of creating this massive Apollo Program Mark II, we should spend our time and resources fostering a sustainable commercial ecosystem that eventually will get us to Mars. NASA can play a part in this regard, but the commercial players need to step up. We shouldn't be looking at NASA to lead on this.

It's hard to turn away from a command-and-control program with necessarily clear goals and set timelines. This difficulty has been playing out for 2 or 3 decades.

08-19-2009, 11:39 PM	#24
etdgxcnc Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 431 Senior Member	We are inhibited in doing interesting things in space because of the prohibitively expensive way that we run our space program. There is no law of physics that says that space programs are to be so expensive. The money that we spend is about 1/3rd to 1/4th as efficient as the Soviet space program. Just think about what that means. And weep. The only way that we won the space race is by spending the Soviets under -- basically, the gov't spending money on worthless stuff instead of taxpayers spending money on what they think is worthwhile. Spending $x billion on big rockets run by the gov't will not change the system. Instead of creating this massive Apollo Program Mark II, we should spend our time and resources fostering a sustainable commercial ecosystem that eventually will get us to Mars. NASA can play a part in this regard, but the commercial players need to step up. We shouldn't be looking at NASA to lead on this. It's hard to turn away from a command-and-control program with necessarily clear goals and set timelines. This difficulty has been playing out for 2 or 3 decades.
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