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Zim Hosein

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NASA can barely keep the shuttle program afloat, what makes you think Virgin will make this a reality in 2008?
 

SwiftWind

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Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
NASA can barely keep the shuttle program afloat, what makes you think Virgin will make this a reality in 2008?

Nasa's hands are tied by the government - meaning that they are only limited bt the budget they are given.

Virgin on the other hand is a giant company who's swimming in money.....

However, I have my doubts since there were many programs like these coming up in the 90's.
 

TriStar

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Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
NASA can barely keep the shuttle program afloat, what makes you think Virgin will make this a reality in 2008?


Perhaps because it is based on capitalism and not taxation with bureaucrats calling the moves.
 

Zim Hosein

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Originally posted by: SwiftWind
Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
NASA can barely keep the shuttle program afloat, what makes you think Virgin will make this a reality in 2008?

Nasa's hands are tied by the government - meaning that they are only limited bt the budget they are given.

Virgin on the other hand is a giant company who's swimming in money.....

However, I have my doubts since there many programs like these coming up in the 90's.

Tied by gov't yes; but who has the most resources and $?
 

SwiftWind

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Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Originally posted by: SwiftWind
Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
NASA can barely keep the shuttle program afloat, what makes you think Virgin will make this a reality in 2008?

Nasa's hands are tied by the government - meaning that they are only limited bt the budget they are given.

Virgin on the other hand is a giant company who's swimming in money.....

However, I have my doubts since there many programs like these coming up in the 90's.

Tied by gov't yes; but who has the most resources and $?

Well that's the thing. They've been struggling for budget constantly. Everytime something goes haywire at Nasa they seem to lose more support. They had to cut off satellites and I THINK that they were planning to cut off the first rover that's already up there due to funding.

P.S.

I can't spell today, bare with me. heh.
 

Zim Hosein

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Originally posted by: gsaldivar
Yep, private enterprise is alive and well. That is all. :thumbsup::D

Just remember, the gov't will have to okay any flight and guess who wins that battle! ;)
 

gsaldivar

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Originally posted by: SwiftWind
Well that's the thing. They've been struggling for budget constantly. Everytime something goes haywire at Nasa they seem to lose more support. They had to cut off satellites and I THINK that they were planning to cut off the first rover that's already up there due to funding.

The Hubble was canned because operations and maintenance was exceeding the cost of developing a replacement, among other reasons. The Mars rover project has exceeded its projected lifespan several times over, and NASA has actually had to renew funding to keep the program operational far longer than was originally thought possible.
 

SwiftWind

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Originally posted by: gsaldivar
Originally posted by: SwiftWind
Well that's the thing. They've been struggling for budget constantly. Everytime something goes haywire at Nasa they seem to lose more support. They had to cut off satellites and I THINK that they were planning to cut off the first rover that's already up there due to funding.

The Hubble was canned because operations and maintenance was exceeding the cost of developing a replacement, among other reasons. The Mars rover project has exceeded its projected lifespan several times over, and NASA has actually had to renew funding to keep the program operational far longer than was originally thought possible.

Doh. I think you got me on that one then. I'll do more research next time. I really thought they were cut off due to project funding.

In your opinion though, what do you think of Virgin's program?
 

gsaldivar

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Originally posted by: SwiftWind
In your opinion though, what do you think of Virgin's program?

It looks good to me. People able to afford today's luxury of private spaceflight will provide the necessary funding for the development of tommorrow's cheaper technology. Eventually, the cost should fall within the reach of the average person. :thumbsup:
 

SwiftWind

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Originally posted by: gsaldivar
Originally posted by: SwiftWind
In your opinion though, what do you think of Virgin's program?

It looks good to me. People able to afford today's luxury of private spaceflight will provide the necessary funding for the development of tommorrow's cheaper technology. Eventually, the cost should fall within the reach of the average person. :thumbsup:



I would hope so.

If they create competition prices will drop even more. We'll see what Gates will have up his sleeve :D