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Rocket to Nowhere

2005-08-06 00:18:51.924573+00 by Dan Lyke 3 comments

Maciej Ceglowski takes on the space shuttle in A Rocket To Nowhere. Well worth reading.

[ related topics: Politics Space & Astronomy ]

comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment Nice intro to retro data made: 2005-08-06 06:17:07.437198+00 by: TaoJones [edit history]

Look back a few decades to Feynman's observations on Challenger. If you're looking for some serious criticism of the whole Shuttle thing, it's been done. I have yet to see any "official" answers to any of Feynman's questions/observations...

For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled.
Richard P. Feynman

#Comment Re: made: 2005-08-06 17:25:07.074639+00 by: ziffle

Well said - but I have a simple solution - "Put the foam inside the metal case." Why would they put foam outside[Wiki] at mach 20? No other airship I know of has foam outside.

But actually, the foam did work ok until they got all environmental about it: http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/7/28/93055.shtml

It's my understanding that its illegal for private companies to go into outerspace, and its illegal to claim ownership of real estate once they get there. All that must change.

Tao: Richard Feynman is my idol: his explanation was so simple. I miss him.

I also enjoyed, maybe even more, the story of being attacked by thugs: http://www.idlewords.com/2004/05/attacked_by_thugs.htm

Back to the excitement in Mayberry.

Ziffle

#Comment Re: made: 2005-08-06 23:56:50.429741+00 by: meuon [edit history]

Great read, Thanks. The nearly successful private space companies are showing that the Shuttles design and technology are Dinosaurs that really should become extinct. It's time for a new breed of spaceship, and missions without the 'fluffy pop science'. Unfortunately, space tourism seems to be the next factor pushing space flight, but maybe we'll get to the important stuff soon: Screwing up the ecology on another planet.