NASA lottery to send an "average" American into space?

[techs]

Yay or Nay?
With the new NASA spacecraft just a few years away from launch, I say its time to let an "average" American into space. Its been 20 years since the Challenger accident. The Russians have been sending paying customers into space for a while now.
"Old fashioned" capsule type vehicles have reached the point where they are actually quite safe. I can't remember the last Russian to die, even though they fly a hugely outdated spacecraft.

So here's my idea:
If you want to go into space you check off a box on your tax return and pay 5 dollars.
Then there will be a lottery.
You must meet all the NASA qualifications. You must be able to take a year off from your job for training.
You cannot sue NASA in the event of an accident or dispute over your qualifications.

IIRC the guys who went up in the Russian space craft paid something like 10-20 million dollars. I'm guessing at least 30 million Americans will pay the 5.00 which would seem to more than cover any possible costs, with the remainder going into the NASA budget.

 

[bignateyk]

The amount of money that would be raised would be a drop in the bucket compared to the R&D costs to develop the new shuttle. Thus, NASA wouldn't do it because of all the extra headaches that would go into it.

 

[JS80]

If you win are you allowed to sell your ticket in the aftermarket?

 

[slayer202]

it would be awesome, but to be honest, i'd be scared as fuck

 

[Aberforth]

Yeah, they might need a few janitors inside the "space station"

 

[SSSnail]

I space out from time to time, and don't even have to pay anything for it.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Simpsons did it.

 

[Insomniator]

How/why would you not support this.

 

[fleshconsumed]

Originally posted by: slayer202
it would be awesome, but to be honest, i'd be scared as fuck

You only live once. I'd do it. Funny, since I've never considered buying lottery tickets, but I would participate in something like this, even if odds are much worse.

 

[mugs]

The only danger is if they send us to that terrible planet of the apes. Wait a minute...Statue of Liberty... that was our planet! You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you all to hell!

 

[sao123]

im in...

how would you file joint returns?? $10?

 

[Baked]

What a stupid idea. What if some fat ass won? He/she will never pass the physical, and will end up suing NASA for discrimination against the disabled.

 

[Epic Fail]

The average American is overweight, thus not eligible to go.

 

[BoomerD]

Take me, take me...Hell, I'll go even if it's a guaranteed one way trip.

 

[JDub02]

I'd go. Heck, I'd throw in $5 for the chance to ride shotgun in a fighter jet.

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: mugs
The only danger is if they send us to that terrible planet of the apes. Wait a minute...Statue of Liberty... that was our planet! You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you all to hell!

:laugh:

 

[ViviTheMage]

go time!

 

[Drakkon]

Originally posted by: Baked
What a stupid idea. What if some fat ass won? He/she will never pass the physical, and will end up suing NASA for discrimination against the disabled.

I would think of it as a carnival ride. I know a couple of people who were asked to get off rides because they wouldn't fit. They just returned their ticket and took the next in line. They aren't sued for discrimination for denying fat asses. You pay your money for the possibility to ride. If you get on the ride and the seat belt doesn't fit they return your payment.

I'd give $5 for the opportunity each year to fund NASA. I think it being a part of tax return is a great idea.

 

[Maleficus]

I'm in, and it would obviously have to be understood that if u can't pass all the physical mental requirements you forfeit your chance. they'd prolly have to pick like 20 alternates

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: mugs
The only danger is if they send us to that terrible planet of the apes. Wait a minute...Statue of Liberty... that was our planet! You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you all to hell!

lol

The last "civilian" shuttle mission did not fare too well
RIP

I'd still hop at the chance to shoot myself in to orbit, too bad it won't be the shuttle, but the new ares platform which I dislike for silly sentimental reasons.

 

[Modelworks]

I would never pass the physical requirements.
The vomit comet alone would be an epic fail for me.

 

[Newbian]

Until they get artificial gravity working right and I can take a dump without it floating around I think I will stick on the ground.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: JS80
If you win are you allowed to sell your ticket in the aftermarket?

This is what I'd do

 

[Babbles]

I would absolutely love to go up into space so in a sense I would want to support this idea. However, I do think that, for the time being, NASA flights should be done by professionals with the aim of research. I do not think that NASA should ferry private citizens on their spacecraft. I would love to see the day that a private industry can make space flights possible for "average" people, but again I do not think that it should be the responsibility of NASA to do such a thing.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I have been to space many times on heroin, its not that special.