The right-brained astronaut

steve smyth lynn ma — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:19:58 GMT

risk averse...
he's got it...hit the ol' nail on the head...
my Father used to call it 'the idiot proofing of America'...in 1957...the noble effort to provide survival for non-natural surviviors has hurt this country...as usual, with this culture, the 'idiot proofing' reached the lowest common denominator, and became today...

The right-brained astronaut

Bob Bickers, Murrysville, PA — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 01:09:08 GMT

From the right brain of an attorney/space enthusiast/artist to you, I tip my hat, Mr. Bean. You've always been my favorite Apollo astronaut. Just wish you and Pete hadn't burned out your TV camera on the moon. I got my parents to buy a color TV just to watch you. I was so disappointed. But I love your paintings.

The right-brained astronaut

Rich, G.R., MI — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 02:03:09 GMT

I agree with steve smyth, only I would call it a dictatorship by comittee. Too many laws are passed that are not voted in by the people but rather by congress just to protect people to stupid or foolish to protect themselves. When one writes a letter to their congress "person" they just get a form letter back thanking them for their correspondence. One more "disaster" in the space program and I'm sure at least a few in congress will call for a halt!

The right-brained astronaut

William Zoellick, Oceanside Ca. — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 02:16:56 GMT

How true it is that this country has now become "it is to risky" a nation with not taking risks. We have to hand a big Thank You to the original 7 as they took the risks to "Push the Envelope" in exploration. Even Columbus pushed the evelope by sailing westard in search of a "New World"

Lets get back to realizing the Impossible Dreams as Mr. Bean calls it.

The right-brained astronaut

Ronnie, TX — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 03:28:31 GMT

Never fear folks. Space will be explored; maybe not for all the "noble" reasons, but when all other motivation fails, the profit motive will see us through. Whatever else Columbus may have been seeking, a shortcut to wealth was certainly a driving force. Americans will find a way to get to space and turn a profit even if they have to do it on the back of Chinese technology. Space consumerism has begun already. Private investment in space travel is increasing and the first consumers of "space for the fun of it" are lining up to pay. Scientists, artists, philosophers, gold-rushers, people running to something and those running from something, people looking to make a new life for themselves and those just looking to see what's over the next hill, politicians following the power and lawyers following the money...all will be able to buy their ticket in time. We're all just waiting for that critical mass of technology. But it won't happen through NASA which custom designs every flight. When private enterprise gets its hands on the technology and applies the power of mass-production, the rush will be on, and NASA can get back to what it does best...developing the X-15's of space travel.

The right-brained astronaut

Dave L. Fort Madison, IA — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:13:20 GMT

New lands were discovered by iron men in wooden ships, not wooden men in iron ships.

The right-brained astronaut

Thomas Gordon, Virginia Beach, Virginia — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:38:33 GMT

It seems the only risks we are willing to take as a nation nowadays is war related (i.e. invading Iraq).... or energy related as we refuse to adapt to changing oil supply issues.

I long for true vision in space exploration again, a willingness to face physical risk for the reality of eventually leaving this earth and expanding beyond the stars.

The right-brained astronaut

Craig, Delft, Netherlands — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 13:29:04 GMT

I disagree with the common polemic that the USA has become too "risk averse." Hundreds of thousands risk our family finances and credit each year to start new businesses. Our federal government may become more risk averse, but this only opens markets and opportunities for the true American pioneers.

The right-brained astronaut

Bob Queen — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:29:57 GMT

Too many risks? How many people die on highways in car accidents every day? Do you hear people demanding that we stop building and driving cars? Everything in life, especially exploration, comes with a human risk. We need to continue space exploration, not because we are creating an economy of space-related products, but because exploration is what humans do. We didn't stop exploring our earth because there were shipwrecks. We shouldn't stop space exploration because there are spacecraft failures resulting in death. We need to keep exploring space because without exploration, humanity will stagnate.

The right-brained astronaut

Wayne, Alamogordo, NM — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:33:16 GMT

The political space race ended long ago. If we hadn't been so set on beating the Russians to the moon, we would still be figuring out how to get there. Space exploration in and of itself is a misnomer. It should be called Space Mining. Let's face it, true exploration will only take place if there's money to be made in doing it. I personally think the US government should get out of the space business and leave it to the business entrepreneurs to conquer space. If there's useful information to be gained and money to be made by conquering space, believe me, someone will figure how to do it.

The right-brained astronaut

anonymous — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:00:39 GMT

boy,if i was younger i would like to give being an astonaut a try.also,this country has taken a noun,sue,and turned it into a verb;too bad.

The right-brained astronaut

Lois E. Nelson, St George, Ut — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:32:54 GMT

Space travel keeps the wonder of life going forward. So much more to learn, to experience we must continue being creative, looking forward. Change is inevitable. If we don't go forward, we go backward!

The right-brained astronaut

Nancy Maas, Phoenix, AZ — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 23:02:06 GMT

I say the government, private sector, etc. should explore everything possible. We are all too worried about our conveniences when we should be thinking of the big adventure. I know my life was better when I was learning new things and trying new things. Now I can't afford to learn and try new things because it cost too much and I have other people counting on me to assist them. Before the responsibility of others, I could spend my money on the fun stuff and that was exciting. Our children and grandchildren (and on and on) need something to be excited about. What better thing than what lies beyond. I say explore it all. Sure there will be tragedies but I would volunteer.

The right-brained astronaut

Wanda Englebert Clearwater, Fl. — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:07:48 GMT

To makes us different from the other cultures.explore the world around us is what makes us who we are. Just imagine if we never moved forward to explore the world since the cave men. It is the adventure and the learning from exploring that makes us special in a violent world. The wanting to learn

The right-brained astronaut

John Barry Centreville, Va — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:02:27 GMT

I was 19 years old when I watched on TV the first walk on the moon. Since then the US has failed to use this great achievement to establish a base on the moon from which we could now be launching further exploration to the COSMOS. Instead, the US has wasted time and money on shuttles that have achieved little more than provide rides around the earth while the means to continue travels to the moon rotted away. Now we have to start all over again. But at least a return to the moon after 30 or more wasted years is coming to mind for some. I don't yet know if the return to the moon is just a political afterthought or a planned pursuit of NASA?