Also in science news, CNN examines the cultural divide between the US and Russia over space exploration. My friends who’ve worked for NASA in some capacity have also complained about a risk-aversiveness bordering on the ridiculous within America’s space program, even with regard to unmanned missions. As one put it, for considerably less than the cost it takes to make one probe perfect, we could send up multiple probes — each with a 90% success rate — and just play the odds, which turn out to be roughly equivalent. Obviously, the calculus of safety for manned missions should be more stringent, but still, I’d think many astronauts would be willing to accept a greater degree of risk if it meant a reinvigoration of the space program.
Tag: NASA
Space in the Balance.
As Mars draws closer than it’s been in over 59,000 years, the Columbia Accident Investigation Board published its final report, and it doesn’t hold back on NASA’s institutional failings. As I’ve said numerous times before, I very much hope we as a nation reaffirm our commitment to space, although I expect very little leadership in this regard from the Bushies — particularly with all our money currently pouring into Iraq. “‘Kennedy was able to relate space exploration to a greater national cause,’ a Bush adviser said earlier this week. ‘I’m not sure that exists today.’” Well, a greater national cause won’t exist unless it’s articulated and promoted by our elected officials. (Besides, since when has the non-existence of something ever stopped Dubya before?) At any rate, despite the vacuum of leadership in the White House, hopefully NASA will take this moment at the crossroads to get its act together and work to redevelop its vision. (Mars link via Blivet.)
Failing Sight.
Astronomers and scientists at NASA contemplate the end of Hubble. “One astronomer compared it to the fate of the faithful dog in the movie ‘Old Yeller.’“
Grounded.
Space policy analyst Mark Whittington laments the squandered opportunity of Apollo in the LA Times.
Inherit the Stars.
NASA discovers a 13-billion-year-old planet in M4, a globular star cluster in Scorpius. I presume it’s where the monoliths came from.
Not just for Trekkies anymore.
After a decade in the dark, SETI finally gets some ‘spec from NASA.
The Writing on the Wall.
Apparently, the forthcoming independent panel report on the loss of Columbia contains some harsh indictments of NASA’s current culture. I haven’t been covering this story as well as I’d have liked in this space, but, as I’ve said before, I do hope NASA takes this opportunity to rebuild from the ground up and to return to the big goals and lofty dreams that characterized the agency in the years before Challenger.
Spiders and Bots.
Two stories from the Welcome to the Future dept: NASA and the European Space Agency send dueling rovers to Mars in search of life, while scientists perfect gecko tape technology to create real-life “Spiderman” gloves. There’s a few origin stories in here somewhere.
Ankle-Deep?
Also from Raza, it turns out there’s water all over Mars. Excellent news for any potential and upcoming (wo)manned visits to the red planet.
From Blastoff to Bloat.
In the wake of STS-107, the NY Times examines the deteriorating institutional culture of NASA. As I said earlier, it’s this type of post-Columbia muckraking that might best help America get the space program back in order (although it’d be nice if the piece was less descriptive and more prescriptive, but oh well.)