"New space" going mainstream

[Sam Fraser]

Private space initiatives are getting more and more press every day. These are two good examples:

The Atlantic:
Not Your Father's Space Program
Who needs NASA when private enterprise is turning the stuff of science fiction into reality?
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/06/not-your-father-apos-s-space-program/6879/

The New York Times:
In New Space Race, Enter the Entrepreneurs
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/science/space/08space.htm

Hopefully this is seeping into the public's consciousness. The days of the giggle factor are long gone.

[moonus111]

very exciting articles, gets me pumped up.

[Sam Fraser]

Then I urge you NOT click the link below. You might explode:

http://www.outofthecradle.net/archives/2010/06/carnival-of-space-157-the-2010-isdc-round-up-edition/

[Doug]

Just think what would happen if NASA gave half it's budget for one year to these Companies!! In five years we could have prototype mining robots on the moon....:eek:

[JohnHunt]

> Just think what would happen if NASA gave half it's budget for one year to these Companies!! In five years we could have prototype mining robots on the moon....

EXACTLY !!!

This is the point which so many people are missing.

There is a bizarre association between Obama's plan for commercial LEO activities and his plan to cancel Constellation. "Because of SpaceX's recent success, it demonstrates the feasibility of Obama's plan (including saying that we can't return to the Moon?)" If anything the recent success should cause everyone to say, "Hmmm, if a NewSpace company can logically replace the over-priced, over-scheduled Ares I, then maybe NewSpace companies can logically replace the over-priced and over-scheduled Constellation. We don't need to cancel the return to the Moon. We just need to find a way to do it cheaper and sooner and with commercial benefit.

[moonus111]

Then I urge you NOT click the link below. You might explode:

http://www.outofthecradle.net/archives/2010/06/carnival-of-space-157-the-2010-isdc-round-up-edition/

My head just exploded, and I'm going to spend a few hours cleaning up the apartment.

I hope the zombie apocalypse doesn't happen in the next few hours.

[moonus111]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBnJLPpGIGQ

Check out the creators channel he made some other stuff for ISDC 2010. His resume is also awesome on his website.