Neil deGrasse Tyson on What NASA Means to America's Future

[Duppers]

Neil deGrasse Tyson: "Half a penny on a dollar...How much would you pay for the universe?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQhNZENMG1o


People bashing NASA should listen and ponder his points.

(This loaded a bit slowly for me, so be patient because it's worth it.)

[ZeitgeistObserver]

1. That was beautiful! Thank you!

I'm sitting here, all by myself, applauding. :)

[Duppers]

6. "applauding"---as was I

you're very welcome, ZO. :)

[Grown2Hate]

2. I love to listen to Mr. Tyson speak. First heard him on that show, "The Universe". Very eloquent.

[1776Forever]

3. Unless you really study what we have learned from our Space Program

a person doesn't have any idea of the magnitude of what has been accomplished from this program. I worked there for years and I can tell you it was thrilling to be in that kind of environment! I had put some posts on DU about this issue and it went no where so I am glad your post got on the greatest page.

I still believe we should not just give up the Kennedy Space Center and all its wealth of information and technology without doing something productive with it. From what I have heard from people still there the launch pads are scheduled to come down in a few months after the last Shuttle launch, as are a lot of other structures, and they will be sold as scrap. Yes the Shuttle is old and needs retired but to just wipe it all clean and start over is ridiculous. We have accomplished something that no other country has and I personally don't like the idea of China looking down on us from the moon.

My 2 cents.

[flpab]

4. thank you from KSC

My husband is out there working right now for the Monday shuttle launch. They have known for years that this was coming yet no one did enough. The shuttle is old but we need to be able to get to the space station, have known that for years...The people that made all the small parts and the big parts have stopped making them, it is like robbing peter to pay paul right now so to keep flying the shuttle is not an option. Very sad.

[1776Forever]

5. Yes it is sad - I asked someone there about Pres. Obama visit April 15 & they aren't to optimistic.

I would hope something would happen that will save at least some of the Program. I agree that it has been overlooked for many years and yes I know about the can do attitude there that has kept the Shuttle flying! I hope someday the real story gets out! I worked with a guy that was there since the Apollo days and he told me some great stories about von Braun that would make a fantastic movie! Here's to a safe launch!

[Duppers]

7. China will get there, make no mistake about it.

You've made some good points, 1776. Thank you.

Unlike the U.S., China may likely "claim" the moon, once they get there!


Btw, my hubby has worked for NASA Langley Research Center for 31 yrs and he appreciates your 2 cents. :)

[1776Forever]

9. Great point - No doubt about the Chinese claiming the moon or trying too.

I did hear there might be a surprise in the making when Pres. Obama gives his briefing on April 15th. Let's hope for the best!

:thumbsup:

[Phoonzang]

10. I hope there'll be a surprise on the 15th too....but I'm not getting my hopes up.

As much as I'd like him to announce "Mars by 2020", I'm worried there will just be platitudes and reassurances that the White House is "interested" in advancing space flight.

[Johonny]

12. you do understand the shuttle is like 10 % of our launches

its retirement in no way means the end of the US involvement in space. Its retirement frees up the majority of our countries space budget to actually do space exploration instead of trying to keep 30-40 year old technology a float. Most of what the US gains from space does not come from what we have spent the most money doing. That is the cross roads the space industry is at right now.

We are going to Pluto as we speak. Forget the moon.

[1776Forever]

13. Forget the moon? So your not worried about the Chinese? I am talking human exploration.

New Horizon's will take pictures, I am talking about building bases in the future. And no one in the discussion tried to make an issue to keep the Shuttle going. I worked there and I know it was time a few years ago to end the program BUT that doesn't mean that all we learned from them and the Constellation Program should be lost forever! Did you know Nasa has already spent $9bn on the program? And what will happen to that data? ?????

[Bigmack]

8. I LOVE that man!

He is a national treasure. Ms Bigmack

[Johonny]

11. The vast majority of DUers bash the direction of NASA not its existence