60 Minutes Last Night

[doublehelix]

<p>Did anyone catch 60 Minutes last night?&nbsp; For me, it was very cool to see a segment on the space program and the idea of moving toward real research on the moon and humans going to Mars. I feel a particular kinship with the mission to the moon in 1969, which left on my 1st birthday (yes, now you know my age!). The segment approached a number of topics already in the forums, so instead of cross-posting, I thought I'd start a discussion on this 60 Minutes show and concepts presented.&nbsp; Freel free to take elements of this discussion elsewhere. </p><p>The Next Giant Leap For Mankind<br /><em>60 Minutes Reports On NASA's Plans To Return Men To The Moon In Preparation For A Manned Flight To Mars</em> </p><p>It's crazy that at one point, we spent a good amount on the space program, now it's pennies.&nbsp; This boggles my mind:</p><p><em>During the 1960s, 4 percent of the entire national budget was spent on space. Today one-sixth of 1 percent goes to NASA. <br /><br />"The average American&rsquo;s bill, if you will, for the space program, is 15 cents per person, per day," says Griffin. "I don&rsquo;t know about you, but I spend more than that on bubble gum."&nbsp; </em> </p><p>One thing that startled me was that the rovers were only supposed to last a few months, but they've lastede 4 YEARS.&nbsp; That is impressive.</p><p>They also talked about housing on the moon.&nbsp; Housing where one doesn't need to be in a spacesuit all the time, but in "short sleeves." To me, this is science fiction, but way cool.&nbsp; Can you imagine living on the moon? </p><p>Anyway, that link above will take you to a transcript and a video of the segment.&nbsp; Would love to hear what you think.</p><p>-dh </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#3366ff">doublehelix, Community Manager<br />Imaginova </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

<p>Geez, I was 17 and working at Mr' Bees at the moment they landed on the moon. Now you know how old I am </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[lampblack]

<p>I was a nine-year-old boy living in rural Georgia -- another lifetime ago.</p><p>Yes, the government spends an outrageously small amount (compared to the overall budget) on the space program. It's almost enough to make one believe that bureaucrats -- as a group -- lack any sense of wonder.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#0000ff"><strong>Just tell the truth and let the chips fall...</strong></font> </div>

 

[hewes]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>...They also talked about housing on the moon.&nbsp; Housing where one doesn't need to be in a spacesuit all the time, but in "short sleeves." To me, this is science fiction, but way cool.&nbsp; Can you imagine living on the moon?... Posted by doublehelix</DIV></p><p><br />Yes.</p><p><br /><img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/0/10/90adae01-cac3-479d-9a0d-5a774050ab9b.Medium.jpg" alt="" /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[newsartist]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Did anyone catch 60 Minutes last night?&nbsp;...I feel a particular kinship with the mission to the moon in 1969, which left on my 1st birthday (yes, now you know my age!). </DIV></p><p>Thanks for the link! I saw part of it, but the atmosphere in a house watching the UConn women's team get thumped, wasn't conducive to catching everything.</p><p>I was a 22-yo missile mech home on leave when it flew.</p><p>Chalkboards for&nbsp;race drivers&nbsp;told me the news during the landing; I was out of electronic contact at a Trans-Am race in New Hampshire. The pit crews kept the drivers updated, and&nbsp;I read their boards through my telephoto lens! </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[doublehelix]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I was a nine-year-old boy living in rural Georgia -- another lifetime ago.Yes, the government spends an outrageously small amount (compared to the overall budget) on the space program. It's almost enough to make one believe that bureaucrats -- as a group -- lack any sense of wonder.&nbsp; <br /> Posted by lampblack</DIV></p><p>That is an interesting observation, lampblack, about the lack of wonder.&nbsp; Lack of vision, perhaps, too.&nbsp; I would love to see more $$$ being put toward the space program.&nbsp; Can someone explain to me this business about Obama cutting the space program out totally?&nbsp; Or point me to the correct thread already established?&nbsp; Thanks.</p><p>Re: lack of wonder.&nbsp; This hits me particularly strongly since I am reading "Childhood's End", and the idea presented that man is overall has had his desire for space flight squelched... by other kinds of bureaucrats.&nbsp; I won't say any more b/c I don't want to spoil it for anyone.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#3366ff">doublehelix, Community Manager<br />Imaginova </font></p> </div>