Obama's asteroid goal: tougher, riskier than moon

[EarthlingX]

I don't think we're ready to launch this week

Then we take a next bus

neo.jpl.nasa.gov : search for Atens

Only those close approaches within 0.5 AU occurring within 30 days from 2010-Jun-20 UT are included.

 

[MeteorWayne]

I hate to point out, but 0.5 AU is pretty damn far away...halfway to the sun, well inside of Venus' orbit if in that direction, or the orbit of Mars going the other way.

 

[dryson]

Why is everyone so centered on just landing on things? The arguement that I keep hearing about Moon colonization is that we have already done that. Done what? We landed on the Moon and collected rocks and brought them back to Earth what the hell did that accomplish? A new space station which is awesome to say none the least. Landing a lander on an Asteroid is superficial so that Obama can say I landed a lander on an asteroid. Big F'in deal. If Obama is so concerned about his image then why the hell doesn't he re ignite the Constellation Progrgam which was going to be the bests thing since Apollo to happen to the space program? Perhaps Obama should take a little run through history and see how the ancient kingdom built their civilizations. They didn't put pebbles along the base of the building to build a house on they used 100 ton blocks of stone to build their pyramids. The real problem with Obama and space exploration is the JFK assination which was most likely a set up concocted by the Kennedies theirself so that if anyone would ever try to do the same thing again the fear of possibly being killed would be present just to protect the image and status of JFK who sent the first mission to the Moon. The Ghost of JFK is what is holding the space program back. To be honest who cares if it spoils JFK's precious little image and status did Alexander give a one tarheel about the leaders that came before him? No he did not he went out and conquered for his kingdom and brought about change. Change that Obama promised when he was elected not superficial landings on a asteroid because he has willies running up his back about what might happen if he sends another mission to the Moon.

 

[EarthlingX]

I hate to point out, but 0.5 AU is pretty damn far away...halfway to the sun, well inside of Venus' orbit if in that direction, or the orbit of Mars going the other way.

In travel time, not necessarily in dV/mission mass. SEL3 and SEL4 would be about that far away, if not further, over the thumb.

And as you said, it brings both Mars and Venus closer.

Point is, that out of as an example 8 min light travel distance, the last second is extremely mass expensive, that is if you want to land in the deep gravity well, not so for asteroids, which are plenty, with list getting longer by day.

 

[MeteorWayne]

A key Senate committee on Thursday approved an authorization bill that would allow NASA to add one more space shuttle mission before retiring the fleet, and press forward with ambitious plans to send astronauts to an asteroid and on to Mars.

After months of debate and criticism, the Senate's Commerce, Science and Transportation committee passed the NASA authorization bill by a unanimous vote. The bill will now move up to the full senate for review.

http://www.space.com/news/senate-approv ... 00715.html

 

[Valcan]

A key Senate committee on Thursday approved an authorization bill that would allow NASA to add one more space shuttle mission before retiring the fleet, and press forward with ambitious plans to send astronauts to an asteroid and on to Mars.

After months of debate and criticism, the Senate's Commerce, Science and Transportation committee passed the NASA authorization bill by a unanimous vote. The bill will now move up to the full senate for review.

http://www.space.com/news/senate-approv ... 00715.html

Dont like how they are short changing the Commercial space part of Nasa's budget its reduced by half.

 

[rockett]

Dont like how they are short changing the Commercial space part of Nasa's budget its reduced by half.

Just for the short term:

As approved Thursday, the NASA authorization bill would allocate $1.3 billion for commercial crew spaceships over the next three years, according to a statement released by committee member Bill Nelson, D-Fla. The rest of the $6 billion could be paid out over the 2014-2016 fiscal years.

Nelson chairs Commerce's space subcommittee and represents the state that is home to NASA's space shuttle launch site. He said the shifts in funding were aimed at balancing support for private-sector and public-sector spaceflight.

"The goal was to preserve U.S. leadership in space exploration and keep as much of the rocket-industry talent as possible employed," Nelson said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38267623/ns/technology_and_science-space/