Ron Paul on NASA??

[Lafayette]

Why doesn't the private sector do what NASA is doing then? What's stopping them?

You don't think the government allows just anyone to buy hundreds of thousand of pounds of rocket fuel, build what is essentially an ICBM and launch it into space do you? Its also not like the private sector has the full coercive force or the bottom less check book of the Federal government behind it.


Though there are many companies and private organizations who are working on making space travel and exploration profitable. As technology becomes better an cheaper so will the private sectors roll in space.

 

[Xenophage]

Why doesn't the private sector do what NASA is doing then? What's stopping them?

They ARE. The process has been long and slow, and the private space industry has only really just begun to develop, because we had to wait for deregulation. Deregulation isn't complete, yet, because we have a communist policy regarding the moon: nobody can own any part of it!

NASA held a complete monopoly on ALL rocket launches until the 1980's when Reagan deregulated it. The 80's saw the first private rocket launches. All those communications satellites we rely on nowadays are privately owned and privately launched. Spaceflight was further deregulated in the 90's. Prior to deregulation, you couldn't launch from the U.S., and you couldn't land in the U.S. All commercial satellites had to be launched on the Space Shuttle.

The first private spaceflights of manned vehicles are set to happen in a couple years. Space X is getting ready to dock with the ISS. Virgin is building their giant Spaceport in New Mexico (almost finished with construction). It's an extremely exciting time for space nuts, but the truth is... we should have been doing this in the 70's! And we could have been, too.

You're worried about pure science and exploration, right? Part of the problem is the development of launch mechanisms. Nobody can fund an entire Voyager mission without first developing the launch capabilities. There's the biggest part of your cost! Once these commercial ventures get their launch services ready to market, $70 million will buy you an extremely sophisticated probe, because your actual launch will only cost you tens of thousands... not millions. These private ventures want to launch their vehicles over and over again. While they may be pricey to build up front, they'll make up their cost and turn a profit in the long run... just like a cruise ship, or a train.

Currently, it's quite clear to anyone paying attention that NASA no longer serves a useful purpose. Anything NASA has done in the past is going to be done in a competitive free market environment in the future. They're a monolithic relic of a bygone age that never should have happened in the first place.

 

[Diurdi]

Why doesn't the private sector do what NASA is doing then? What's stopping them?

Why do it with your own money when it's being done with taxpayer money?

 

[LibertyEsq]

this is clearly the most important issue of our times.

are you being sarcrastic? I would like to see advances in space exploration in my time. Not saying that can't be accomplished in the private sector but it's an important issue to me

 

[Xenophage]

I consider it an extremely important issue. Much more needs to be done. NASA needs to be shut down. It's infrastructure and launch facilities needs to be auctioned off. Comprehensive legislative reform is needed that will grant legal property rights to space developers operating on the moon and around other planets.

 

[Elwar]

Ron Paul has voted to fund NASA in the past.

Something to do with national defense.

 

[Raudsarw]

Government has fucked up things on earth enough as it is. Why would we want to send them to fuck up the galaxy?

 

[fatjohn]

NASA is certainly a program that should not be cut immediately but should be dwindled down over a long period of time. I propose 12 years. Ron Paul I, Rand Paul I and Rand Paul II. Yes, in the long run space exploration should be privatized, but the gap between government and private sector is too wide. Just cancelling NASA would be horrible. Obama is doing (i don`t like to say it) a decent job in that regard.

 

[Sematary]

There aren't many things I believe the government needs to be involved in but I think if we, as a species, as going to explore the galaxy, then it IS going to take funding from the government. Whether people want to believe it or not, much of what we enjoy - including this little medium called the internet, is the result of government funding. If not for the federal government, we wouldn't have what was, at the time, the most advanced roadway system in the world. If not for government funding (sorry - taxpayer funding) we never would have landed on the moon and Virgin Galactic wouldn't have been able to build upon the technology created by our government. I've done this before but look at ALL the inventions that have come about because of the space program:

1. Cordless tools
2. Smoke detectors
3. Enriched baby food
4. New-age pavement
http://articles.cnn.com/2007-10-04/living/nasa.everyday_1_detectors-tires-nasa?_s=PM:LIVING

Dust Buster Invention ideas around the house have to include the Dust Buster. This convenient little vacuum cleaner takes care of small spills and messes around the house. It began as a useful item to help the astronauts with their housekeeping.

Tempur-Pedic Mattress This space-age mattress was developed from foam created by NASA to help astronauts be more comfortable during the high G-force blast-off and re-entry. Many people swear by this mattress as being the most comfortable, pain-free sleep they have ever had.

http://www.listmyfive.com/9dc3cd97/The-Top-Five-Invention-Ideas-from-NASA-That-You-May-Have-Used

NASA robotics research has led to wheelchairs that respond to the user's voice

The same technology developed for robotic tools on space vehicles has been incorporated into artificial limbs for amputees

Technology used by the Viking craft that landed on the planet Mars can be found in automated pumps that deliver insulin to diabetics replacing the need for numerous daily injections

The technologies developed for spacesuits are now used by firefighters here on Earth

Fire-retardant fabrics used in the manufacture of furniture, mattresses, and children's sleepwear are also a result of space program research

NASA was able to develop magnetic liquids.
Magnetized liquids are used in the manufacture of electronic products, industrial processes, visual displays, and medical equipment. Most computer memory disk drives use magnetic fluids for exclusion seals and they are useful for dampening motion in car's shock absorbers and on bridges

Read the rest
http://www.essayforum.com/writing-feedback-3/nasa-spinoff-technology-6484/

It seems to me that for the small amount of money that NASA requires, the benefits to the taxpayer have been MORE than realized.

So I respectfully disagree. Anyone who cares to actually LOOK AT THE FACTS will see that the NASA space program has not only provided science with a multitude of answers that help us to understand more about our planet and the sky above but also has provided people with a multitude of creations that make our lives easier as well as serve vital interests in protecting human lives.

 

[Sematary]

are you being sarcrastic? I would like to see advances in space exploration in my time. Not saying that can't be accomplished in the private sector but it's an important issue to me

I wonder if people here understand that not ALL taxpayer funded government programs are evil?
Space exploration may one day save our species. It's already made our lives safer and less difficult. I wouldn't say that 17 Billion a year is too much for that kind of payoff

 

[Occam's Banana]

Without government funding how could any profits be made?

Have you considered what the concept "profit" (correctly understood) means & implies?

Getting "into the black" because government funding got you "out of the red" is NOT "making a profit."

(The correct term, I believe, is "mooching." )

 

[ShaneEnochs]

If the government completely deregulated everything having to do with getting into space, private corporations would have space plane tickets in ten years for the cost of normal plane tickets now. And we'd have all sorts of new technologies. Private companies do it better, faster, and cheaper. That's all there is to it.

 

[Occam's Banana]

Ce qu'on voit et ce qu'on ne voit pas

*sigh*

There aren't many things I believe the government needs to be involved in but I think if we, as a species, as going to explore the galaxy, then it IS going to take funding from the government. Whether people want to believe it or not, much of what we enjoy - including this little medium called the internet, is the result of government funding. If not for the federal government, we wouldn't have what was, at the time, the most advanced roadway system in the world. If not for government funding (sorry - taxpayer funding) we never would have landed on the moon and Virgin Galactic wouldn't have been able to build upon the technology created by our government. I've done this before but look at ALL the inventions that have come about because of the space program:

1. Cordless tools
2. Smoke detectors
3. Enriched baby food
4. New-age pavement
http://articles.cnn.com/2007-10-04/living/nasa.everyday_1_detectors-tires-nasa?_s=PM:LIVING

Dust Buster Invention ideas around the house have to include the Dust Buster. This convenient little vacuum cleaner takes care of small spills and messes around the house. It began as a useful item to help the astronauts with their housekeeping.

Tempur-Pedic Mattress This space-age mattress was developed from foam created by NASA to help astronauts be more comfortable during the high G-force blast-off and re-entry. Many people swear by this mattress as being the most comfortable, pain-free sleep they have ever had.

http://www.listmyfive.com/9dc3cd97/The-Top-Five-Invention-Ideas-from-NASA-That-You-May-Have-Used

NASA robotics research has led to wheelchairs that respond to the user's voice

The same technology developed for robotic tools on space vehicles has been incorporated into artificial limbs for amputees

Technology used by the Viking craft that landed on the planet Mars can be found in automated pumps that deliver insulin to diabetics replacing the need for numerous daily injections

The technologies developed for spacesuits are now used by firefighters here on Earth

Fire-retardant fabrics used in the manufacture of furniture, mattresses, and children's sleepwear are also a result of space program research

NASA was able to develop magnetic liquids.
Magnetized liquids are used in the manufacture of electronic products, industrial processes, visual displays, and medical equipment. Most computer memory disk drives use magnetic fluids for exclusion seals and they are useful for dampening motion in car's shock absorbers and on bridges

Read the rest
http://www.essayforum.com/writing-feedback-3/nasa-spinoff-technology-6484/

It seems to me that for the small amount of money that NASA requires, the benefits to the taxpayer have been MORE than realized.

So I respectfully disagree. Anyone who cares to actually LOOK AT THE FACTS will see that the NASA space program has not only provided science with a multitude of answers that help us to understand more about our planet and the sky above but also has provided people with a multitude of creations that make our lives easier as well as serve vital interests in protecting human lives.

 

[danbeaulieu]

I agree space travel exploration should be privatized, but does this mean their will be no government funding under Ron Paul?

When people ask these types of questions it makes me feel like they think Ron Paul will be president for 50 years. We haven't had good funding for NASA for decades. 4 to 8 years of privatization wont kill anyone.

 

[danbeaulieu]

this is clearly the most important issue of our times.

agreed

 

[danbeaulieu]

There aren't many things I believe the government needs to be involved in but I think if we, as a species, as going to explore the galaxy, then it IS going to take funding from the government. Whether people want to believe it or not, much of what we enjoy - including this little medium called the internet, is the result of government funding. If not for the federal government, we wouldn't have what was, at the time, the most advanced roadway system in the world. If not for government funding (sorry - taxpayer funding) we never would have landed on the moon and Virgin Galactic wouldn't have been able to build upon the technology created by our government. I've done this before but look at ALL the inventions that have come about because of the space program:

1. Cordless tools
2. Smoke detectors
3. Enriched baby food
4. New-age pavement
http://articles.cnn.com/2007-10-04/living/nasa.everyday_1_detectors-tires-nasa?_s=PM:LIVING

Dust Buster Invention ideas around the house have to include the Dust Buster. This convenient little vacuum cleaner takes care of small spills and messes around the house. It began as a useful item to help the astronauts with their housekeeping.

Tempur-Pedic Mattress This space-age mattress was developed from foam created by NASA to help astronauts be more comfortable during the high G-force blast-off and re-entry. Many people swear by this mattress as being the most comfortable, pain-free sleep they have ever had.

http://www.listmyfive.com/9dc3cd97/The-Top-Five-Invention-Ideas-from-NASA-That-You-May-Have-Used

NASA robotics research has led to wheelchairs that respond to the user's voice

The same technology developed for robotic tools on space vehicles has been incorporated into artificial limbs for amputees

Technology used by the Viking craft that landed on the planet Mars can be found in automated pumps that deliver insulin to diabetics replacing the need for numerous daily injections

The technologies developed for spacesuits are now used by firefighters here on Earth

Fire-retardant fabrics used in the manufacture of furniture, mattresses, and children's sleepwear are also a result of space program research

NASA was able to develop magnetic liquids.
Magnetized liquids are used in the manufacture of electronic products, industrial processes, visual displays, and medical equipment. Most computer memory disk drives use magnetic fluids for exclusion seals and they are useful for dampening motion in car's shock absorbers and on bridges

Read the rest
http://www.essayforum.com/writing-feedback-3/nasa-spinoff-technology-6484/

It seems to me that for the small amount of money that NASA requires, the benefits to the taxpayer have been MORE than realized.

So I respectfully disagree. Anyone who cares to actually LOOK AT THE FACTS will see that the NASA space program has not only provided science with a multitude of answers that help us to understand more about our planet and the sky above but also has provided people with a multitude of creations that make our lives easier as well as serve vital interests in protecting human lives.

While your at it why don't you list off all the inventions that we use that came from our military or even the nazi military... should we keep pumping funds into militarism because most of our technological advances are coming from war?

 

[Acala]

NASA is relatively underfunded. Furthermore, the things that NASA does wouldn't be picked up by the private sector. What stake does the private sector have in space exploration? There's no money to be made. There's nothing wrong with NASA.

Here is the gist of your argument:

"I value what NASA does. Other people are too stupid or short sighted or greedy to give the proper value to, and pay for, what NASA does. Because my value system is better than the value system of most people, they should be forced at gunpoint to subsidize my value system. While I normally don't support this kind of thing, I do in this instance because my values are better than other people's values."

See the problem? If you like space exploration, PAY FOR IT WITH YOUR OWN MONEY!! If not enough money can be generated by providing goods or interesting research from space to sustain it, then your values are simply out of step with the human race. Too bad for you.

 

[erowe1]

BUT I think the government should be able to pay a company(like SpaceX) to take our astronauts to the ISS, moon, or Mars...

And when you say "the government," what you really mean is "the taxpayer."

But if you as a taxpayer want to donate your money to a space exploration company to help them go to Mars, why can't you just do that directly? Do you really need to force other people to help you against their wills?

 

[xFiFtyOnE]

I think NASA is past its prime aswell. But how will we spur a private sector growth to replace it?

 

[low preference guy]

BUT I think the government should be able to pay a company(like SpaceX) to take our astronauts to the ISS, moon, or Mars...

BUT I think the government should be able to pay colleges to educate students!

And a lot of people could also think of many arbitrary things they want the government to pay for.