Are we entering a new era in Space??

[GeoFisher]

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/...#ixzz1vaGjHrW3

I think this is FANTASTIC. Private funding, private development, and private launch.

While I still love NASA and think they did a great job, AND think we should still be funding them much better than we are, this is a PRIME example of the competitive nature of Americans.

Also, I believe the only reason SPACE X exists is to make money, which I think they will do.......eventually.

Yes my friends, the next 10-20 years my be a very dynamic and competitive race........maybe in a galaxy far, far away

[artcarney_agr]

Also, I believe the only reason SPACE X exists is to make money, which I think they will do.......eventually.

Well of course! It's every company's goal to make a profit.....why else would you put yourself through it for little to no return?

A company driven by profits will strive to do things more efficiently and cost effectively...unlike NASA or any government entity....

[GeoFisher]

Well of course! It's every company's goal to make a profit.....why else would you put yourself through it for little to no return?

A company driven by profits will strive to do things more efficiently and cost effectively...unlike NASA or any government entity....

Let me be perfectly clear.....I am completely for them making a profit. I believe there will be a TON of new start up companies that come up with crazy CREATIVE ways and methods to make a buck in space.

Mining in space, science in space, nanotech in space, advanced genetics in space. ALL kinds of stuff that will be done BASED on the success of Space X. To me.........Space X, and companies like it may be the next SUPER SUCCESS.

I cannot wait to see what the future will bring........

Later,

Geo

[artcarney_agr]

I cannot wait to see what the future will bring........

Same here!

I look forward to seeing spaceships with advertising on them, much like the cars in NASCAR!

How about we start the pot now for a Fishin.com sponsored rocket?

[Chubminnow]

I cannot wait to see what the future will bring........

Betcha a dollar to a doughnut that if we knew what the future is gonna bring us we'd all be wishin' this world would slow down to a snails pace.

Just taken it a day at a time here...or, like this older fella I talked with at Lodge last night...he said he takes it an hour at a time now days, lol...

[MrSplitshot]

A company driven by profits will strive to do things more efficiently and cost effectively...unlike NASA or any government entity....

I agree completely...

Who governs space anyway? If I'm a company operating a transportation vehicle taking people outside the Earth's orbit and outside U.S. Airspace, who regulates safety and things like that?

[SLP]

That is one of the big catch 22 problems with government. If those in charge actually try and be prudent and not waste money their departments are cut and the money goes towards something else, hence they end up less important with less power. This also is a problem with some very large corporations sometimes as well. People will just spend money on almost anything in order to use up their budgets rather then end a fiscal year with a surplus.

Thinking outside of the box, I often have wondered if this would work. Anyone in government that has any discretion over funds, would get a small % bonus of any money saved within a yearly budget. The risk would be some people making cuts that might be to severe, just for the cash. Well that and the bad press when someone gets a huge bonus and it is reported. Of course that person would have had to save the taxpayers exponentially more, but people wouldn't see it that way.

[artcarney_agr]

People will just spend money on almost anything in order to use up their budgets rather then end a fiscal year with a surplus.

This is clearly evident with highway depts. and snow removal/salt. If you don't exhaust the salt budget, it gets reduced the following year...therefore the dept. wastes a whole lot with the smallest snow flurry...it was absolutely ridiculous this winter.

[HURRICANEBOB]

That is one of the big catch 22 problems with government. If those in charge actually try and be prudent and not waste money their departments are cut and the money goes towards something else, hence they end up less important with less power. This also is a problem with some very large corporations sometimes as well. People will just spend money on almost anything in order to use up their budgets rather then end a fiscal year with a surplus.

Thinking outside of the box, I often have wondered if this would work. Anyone in government that has any discretion over funds, would get a small % bonus of any money saved within a yearly budget. The risk would be some people making cuts that might be to severe, just for the cash. Well that and the bad press when someone gets a huge bonus and it is reported. Of course that person would have had to save the taxpayers exponentially more, but people wouldn't see it that way.

From my governmnet background, I tend to disagree with the bonus idea. Civil servants take an oath to do it right, and that includes safeguarding public funds. That falls generally in the words "I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter"

It's very hard to paln for contigency funding for next year, if the money you had this year was lucky enough to not experience that event. The mind set has to be that's is duty to preserve funds, and if not needed by my office, then they should go back into the general fund to meet some other departments unplanned for emergency. Example, maybe we didn't need "salt money" but the money we saved there might be need to repair a bridge that a tugboat skipped accidentally hit.

Just me, but I think a fed, state, county, or city worker ought not be rewarded in cash for savings the publics funds we entrusted to them. It should go on the performance report and serve as the basis for promotion consideration.