[QUOTE]Originally posted by ralper
...We need to have vision.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by paS2K

 

Living in Huntsville, Al for over thirty five years I obviously have been close to the Space program since before the 1st lunar landing in '69. In fact I worked in the Apollo Program for about four years after graduating from college. I have always felt landing a man on the moon was one, if not the best, technological feats ever accomplished. Just think how far automobiles have advanced in technology since the 60's as a comparision. I have always felt the USA garnered more prestige and admiration as a result of the accomplishment than from all the billions given away in foreign aid. The most awe inspiring accomplishment to me personally, however, was the Apollo 8 mission to the moon in which the command module did about 10 lunar orbits without landing. This was the first trip to the moon, occurred during Christmas and I will never forget the images transmitted back to earth. It was indeed a special event. Still feels my heart with pride!!

 

We have to look in space, to assist others on earth, continue to explore here & out there. Otherwise we become obsolete.

 

Check out the animation of the mars mission. It runs almost 10 min but
it's really cool stuff. It gave me a much greater appreciation of what's been accomplished.

http://marsrovers.nasa.gov/gallery/video/a.../animation.html

 

Interesting. No opinions against the program.

I think the space program is critical and woefully underfunded. I would be in favor of spending more to get the space station up and running quicker, replace the shuttle fleet with redesigned equipment and fund work on some of the theoretical space engines I have read about.

djlyellow, can you tell us about some of the programs that have been considered. Also, any tidbits you can share about the Mars project would be appreciated.

One thought I had, how did they test the rover to see if it would stand up to the changes in temps and the extreme cold

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Legal Bill
Interesting.

 

When I was a child and the first manned spacecraft was launched, I truly believed that by the time I grew up, we'd all be able to travel in space -- maybe have lunch or dinner and an overnighter on the moonstation. The failure of mankind to get on with really, really serious space exploration and better technology has been one of my disappointments in life. I guess there just aren't enough taxpayers who wanted it as badly as I did.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by valentine
When I was a child and the first manned spacecraft was launched, I truly believed that by the time I grew up, we'd all be able to travel in space -- maybe have lunch or dinner and an overnighter on the moonstation.

 

While the future world as shown on the covers of Popular Mechanics in the late 40s and 50s never really came to pass (where we each have our very own hover craft that could go on land, sea, or air), we made tremendous progress. It's one thing to visualize it and another to actually achieve it. Like most great accomplishments in life it comes in very small steps that often go unnoticed.