What do you know about NASA?

Greg · 09-03-2007, 02:33 PM

I'm curious about how much information about NASA is getting out these days.

If you hadn't seen notes about it here, would you be aware that NASA is developing a program to send the Orion spacecraft to the moon?

Miros1 · 09-03-2007, 04:24 PM

Um, yes, it's an infrequent topic of conversation in the Moon Society MOO Commons. Yes, we actually talk about space in there from time to time, not just The Sims and James' computer problems and online comics...

mikedelaney16 · 09-04-2007, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

I'm curious about how much information about NASA is getting out these days.

If you hadn't seen notes about it here, would you be aware that NASA is developing a program to send the Orion spacecraft to the moon?

I have to say that while shuttle, ISS missions and probe launches, landings etc are covered by the media on this side of the pond, the Orion stuff is rarely mentioned. I'm not sure that's the fault of NASA however, possibly more the fault of congress, as nobody over here really believes it's going to happen.

I expect that attitude will change once they start seriously bending metal and doing tests.

The moon missions are really only ever mentioned in passing in that cliche "moon mars and beyond", no details beyond that.

Keep in mind that much of the English speaking world is at the mercy of Rupert Murdoch (SKY and FOX, London Times, NY Times etc etc etc) for news these days. BBC has the best "in depth" space and science coverage by far with Euronews coming in 2nd covering more topics in somewhat less detail. All the rest are only in the "also ran" category.

It might help if NASA were a bit more pushy, but I think the main problem is lack of funding credibility until we see what the next administration will do, or undo. Everyone knows NASA can do it, not many believe it will be allowed finish the job.

Greg · 09-04-2007, 08:53 AM

Even with a sample of just two, I think that confirms my suspicion that outside the community of space fans, the media just aren't telling the story of what's really happening in the U.S. space program. Times haven't changed since the days when the local CBS affiliate here in Houston was running an add about the first female astronaut with the hook, "Meet a woman who is going to go to the moon!"

Even after all these years, the people reporting the news don't know what's happening in the world. It makes me wonder what's really going on in all those other agencies and companies and farms and towns and everything else that doesn't involve celebrity sexpots.

shorty943 · 09-04-2007, 01:26 PM

"It makes me wonder what's really going on in all those other agencies and companies and farms and towns and everything else that doesn't involve celebrity sexpots".

You mean there is more to life than what knickers some bimbo isn't wearing today?
Careful Greg, you might threaten Hollyweirds shaky ego.

Let's see now.
Hurricanes threaten the Carribean and Mexico and Texas coasts again this week.
The big fires in Greece are under control at last, but now, they have sudden flash flooding to contend with, due to the denuding of the hillsides by fire.
The Middle East still hates itself. Nothing new there.
The drought continues here in Australia. America is not faring too well in the weather stakes either.
Apparently the APEC conference in Sydney, is just such an inconvenience for Sydneysiders. What, with all this security for the biggest meeting of world leaders this country has ever hosted. The poor loves.
I wonder what my uncle and auntie think of it all. They live right in the heart of Sydney on King Street. Oh, pity them.

Back on track.

What do NASA do? Medical research, Engineering research, Biological research.
Play with the best Meccano set in the world.

NASA do interesting stuff. Hell, I'd be happy to sweep the floors, just to be able to legitimately wear that NASA badge.
Truth is, that's about all I'd be qualified for at NASA, but who cares, if you can work for them.

Mike is right about the media side though. You left out the other mob, the Packer's. Modern day journalism, seems to be bent towards the heart wrench and the emotive side of left of center. Very "Sixty Minutes".
Mind you, if there is another spectacle for them to bleed for copy sales.

Miros1 · 09-04-2007, 01:57 PM

Yeah, I watch the news and think Dr. Jandoli is spinning in his grave...

In case you're wondering, that's the Dr. Jandoli the Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication is named for... http://www.sbu.edu/go/academics/jand...hool/index.htm

shorty943 · 09-04-2007, 02:07 PM

Your, Alma Mata, Lady M?

Miros1 · 09-04-2007, 02:16 PM

Yep. Actually spent a year as a Mass Comm major. So did a certain Patricia Kenneally, almost 20 years earlier...

Greg · 09-04-2007, 02:24 PM

Hmm... there's a lot more to NASA than rocket science.

I don't know what percentage of all the folks who work NASA are actually working on the spacecraft, and of those who work on it, how many need to know how to design a spacecraft. For every hands-on engineer there must be hundreds of folks working the milling machines, building and maintaining the buildings and physical plants and laboratories, doing quality control on everything, conducting the tests on the hardware, calibrating each piece of test equipment, researching, modeling, measuring, poking, prodding, painting, cleaning, lubricating, communicating, hiring, training, leading, archiving, retrieving, storing, cataloguing, wiring, plumbing, planning, buying, inspecting, guarding, and gardening. There's no doubt in my mind that you'd have lots and lots of transferrable skills that would be applicable to space stuff.

Then there are the software guys and the chipheads. Hoo boy! Whatever they do in their dark caverns, it must be neat!

My major problem in finding a job that I really wanted has been that I have lots of experience and skills in a very narrow field where these is exactly one customer in the whole world. Almost all of it would be transferrable to other industries but it's really difficult to convince people of that.

shorty943 · 09-04-2007, 02:39 PM

Cool.

One of my schools, was named after a Nobel Prize winner, Sir Mark Oliphant. The Aussie physicist who helped Oppenheimer develop Fat Boy and Little Man.
The Oliphant Buildings, at the Royal Australian Navy, School of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence and Decontamination. Ah, the adventures we set out upon in our youth. Just a part of the Firefighting training I went through.
"We need volunteers for specialist training", says they, I'll give it a go, says I. Made it to. Less than 20 of us, in a population of around 20 million.
When it's all gone bad, get Shorty, he knows what to do.

That TV show, Jericho?
Nah, if you can see the mushroom cloud, place your feet well apart, bend over, and complete the maneuver. It's already gotcha.

Miros1 · 09-04-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

<snip>My major problem in finding a job that I really wanted has been that I have lots of experience and skills in a very narrow field where these is exactly one customer in the whole world. Almost all of it would be transferrable to other industries but it's really difficult to convince people of that.

Yep, I worked with a guy who'd been working in satellite control software and wanted to relocate for romantic reasons. He could not convince people that his skills were transferrable! Funny thing is, less than a year at the large document scanner manufacturer, the satellite company called him back offering enough money to be worth moving back to Virginia, especially combined with the fiancee looking at a job in DC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shorty943

That TV show, Jericho?
Nah, if you can see the mushroom cloud, place your feet well apart, bend over, and complete the maneuver. It's already gotcha.

I figured that was a visual shortcut -- they really couldn't have seen the cloud over Denver from Kansas, but it would have been too hard to explain how they knew Denver was gone without it. Not to mention, too much talking for good television.

shorty943 · 09-05-2007, 06:58 AM

It's odd how things work in other peoples minds.

I have a plethora of experience in most general engineering fields, fitting and turning is fitting and turning, but at job interviews all I hear is, "We have no boat engines here mate".
Wrong, boats are powered by Cummins and Caterpillar and Perkins and Detroit etc, just like tractors and trucks. What the doofus does not have is SHIP engines. They are really big.

Oh dear, yet another clown I would not work for.

It has to be a bit of a bitch, to have little leaway in employment openings. There can't be much you can't turn your hand to, all engineering is only applied physics. But, you try to tell that to the "Office Johnny" in personel.

Greg · 09-06-2007, 03:50 AM

That reminds me of something Elon Musk said: "People seem to think that spaceships are made of magic."

It would appear the same thing applies to boats.

shorty943 · 09-07-2007, 10:16 AM

There is certainly a sort of magic in them. Both of them.

I have suddenly remembered someone who could have used your advice..
Some years ago, a friend who has since passed away, asked for my help.
Some "space cadet" had taken over my friends vacant block of land, and was proceeding to build himself a spaceship.

Not knowing anything about spaceships, I did not know what kind of help he needed.
Wally has passed on, and the spaceship is not on the block of land, which is still vacant.
Damn, now what do I do. Maybe he got it working, or maybe the nice young men, in the clean white coats, came to take him away. Ha ha.

I don't think he worked for NASA though.

There was magic in that episode.

Greg · 09-07-2007, 03:20 PM

Hmmm... there are private spaceship companies working in Australia but I don't remember them being that far south.

shorty943 · 09-08-2007, 01:19 AM

Mostly based at Woomera I think. About 4 or 5 hours north of me.
We get the occasional news report of another spectacular failure.
You know, rocket go up, rocket go boom. But, they are legit.

This guy was so far left of center, I think he had already left the planet.

Greg · 09-08-2007, 04:38 AM

Oh right! The Kistler launch site at Woomera is in your corner of the island!

shorty943 · 09-08-2007, 12:08 PM

So it is.

I'll delve deeper into that site.

Greg · 09-08-2007, 02:35 PM

I'm hoping that Kistler can get the financing they need to keep building the K1. I think there's a fear factor involved. That is, fear of the unknown. Their difficulty with raising money certain can't be because investors are looking at the financial potential of the company; otherwise investors would be duking it out in George French's front yard to see who gets a piece of the action.

shorty943 · 09-11-2007, 11:02 AM

Yes, not so much the fear of the ships failure. Or even the space tourist gimmick. Perhaps the long term on any return of profits is the real fear.

I stepped off world, so to speak, for a day or so. Any news on Steve Fossett?

09-03-2007, 02:33 PM	#1
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	What do you know about NASA? I'm curious about how much information about NASA is getting out these days. If you hadn't seen notes about it here, would you be aware that NASA is developing a program to send the Orion spacecraft to the moon? __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

09-04-2007, 08:53 AM	#4
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	Even with a sample of just two, I think that confirms my suspicion that outside the community of space fans, the media just aren't telling the story of what's really happening in the U.S. space program. Times haven't changed since the days when the local CBS affiliate here in Houston was running an add about the first female astronaut with the hook, "Meet a woman who is going to go to the moon!" Even after all these years, the people reporting the news don't know what's happening in the world. It makes me wonder what's really going on in all those other agencies and companies and farms and towns and everything else that doesn't involve celebrity sexpots. __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

09-04-2007, 02:24 PM	#9
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	Hmm... there's a lot more to NASA than rocket science. I don't know what percentage of all the folks who work NASA are actually working on the spacecraft, and of those who work on it, how many need to know how to design a spacecraft. For every hands-on engineer there must be hundreds of folks working the milling machines, building and maintaining the buildings and physical plants and laboratories, doing quality control on everything, conducting the tests on the hardware, calibrating each piece of test equipment, researching, modeling, measuring, poking, prodding, painting, cleaning, lubricating, communicating, hiring, training, leading, archiving, retrieving, storing, cataloguing, wiring, plumbing, planning, buying, inspecting, guarding, and gardening. There's no doubt in my mind that you'd have lots and lots of transferrable skills that would be applicable to space stuff. Then there are the software guys and the chipheads. Hoo boy! Whatever they do in their dark caverns, it must be neat! My major problem in finding a job that I really wanted has been that I have lots of experience and skills in a very narrow field where these is exactly one customer in the whole world. Almost all of it would be transferrable to other industries but it's really difficult to convince people of that. __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

09-06-2007, 03:50 AM	#13
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	That reminds me of something Elon Musk said: "People seem to think that spaceships are made of magic." It would appear the same thing applies to boats. __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

09-07-2007, 03:20 PM	#15
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	Hmmm... there are private spaceship companies working in Australia but I don't remember them being that far south. __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

09-03-2007, 04:24 PM	#2
Miros1 Goddess for Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NY State Posts: 3,303	Um, yes, it's an infrequent topic of conversation in the Moon Society MOO Commons. Yes, we actually talk about space in there from time to time, not just The Sims and James' computer problems and online comics...

09-04-2007, 01:26 PM	#5
shorty943 Banned Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 805	"It makes me wonder what's really going on in all those other agencies and companies and farms and towns and everything else that doesn't involve celebrity sexpots". You mean there is more to life than what knickers some bimbo isn't wearing today? Careful Greg, you might threaten Hollyweirds shaky ego. Let's see now. Hurricanes threaten the Carribean and Mexico and Texas coasts again this week. The big fires in Greece are under control at last, but now, they have sudden flash flooding to contend with, due to the denuding of the hillsides by fire. The Middle East still hates itself. Nothing new there. The drought continues here in Australia. America is not faring too well in the weather stakes either. Apparently the APEC conference in Sydney, is just such an inconvenience for Sydneysiders. What, with all this security for the biggest meeting of world leaders this country has ever hosted. The poor loves. I wonder what my uncle and auntie think of it all. They live right in the heart of Sydney on King Street. Oh, pity them. Back on track. What do NASA do? Medical research, Engineering research, Biological research. Play with the best Meccano set in the world. NASA do interesting stuff. Hell, I'd be happy to sweep the floors, just to be able to legitimately wear that NASA badge. Truth is, that's about all I'd be qualified for at NASA, but who cares, if you can work for them. Mike is right about the media side though. You left out the other mob, the Packer's. Modern day journalism, seems to be bent towards the heart wrench and the emotive side of left of center. Very "Sixty Minutes". Mind you, if there is another spectacle for them to bleed for copy sales.

09-04-2007, 01:57 PM	#6
Miros1 Goddess for Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NY State Posts: 3,303	Yeah, I watch the news and think Dr. Jandoli is spinning in his grave... In case you're wondering, that's the Dr. Jandoli the Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication is named for... http://www.sbu.edu/go/academics/jand...hool/index.htm

09-04-2007, 02:07 PM	#7
shorty943 Banned Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 805	Your, Alma Mata, Lady M?

09-04-2007, 02:16 PM	#8
Miros1 Goddess for Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NY State Posts: 3,303	Yep. Actually spent a year as a Mass Comm major. So did a certain Patricia Kenneally, almost 20 years earlier...

09-04-2007, 02:39 PM	#10
shorty943 Banned Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 805	Cool. One of my schools, was named after a Nobel Prize winner, Sir Mark Oliphant. The Aussie physicist who helped Oppenheimer develop Fat Boy and Little Man. The Oliphant Buildings, at the Royal Australian Navy, School of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence and Decontamination. Ah, the adventures we set out upon in our youth. Just a part of the Firefighting training I went through. "We need volunteers for specialist training", says they, I'll give it a go, says I. Made it to. Less than 20 of us, in a population of around 20 million. When it's all gone bad, get Shorty, he knows what to do. That TV show, Jericho? Nah, if you can see the mushroom cloud, place your feet well apart, bend over, and complete the maneuver. It's already gotcha.

09-05-2007, 06:58 AM	#12
shorty943 Banned Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 805	It's odd how things work in other peoples minds. I have a plethora of experience in most general engineering fields, fitting and turning is fitting and turning, but at job interviews all I hear is, "We have no boat engines here mate". Wrong, boats are powered by Cummins and Caterpillar and Perkins and Detroit etc, just like tractors and trucks. What the doofus does not have is SHIP engines. They are really big. Oh dear, yet another clown I would not work for. It has to be a bit of a bitch, to have little leaway in employment openings. There can't be much you can't turn your hand to, all engineering is only applied physics. But, you try to tell that to the "Office Johnny" in personel.

09-07-2007, 10:16 AM	#14
shorty943 Banned Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 805	There is certainly a sort of magic in them. Both of them. I have suddenly remembered someone who could have used your advice.. Some years ago, a friend who has since passed away, asked for my help. Some "space cadet" had taken over my friends vacant block of land, and was proceeding to build himself a spaceship. Not knowing anything about spaceships, I did not know what kind of help he needed. Wally has passed on, and the spaceship is not on the block of land, which is still vacant. Damn, now what do I do. Maybe he got it working, or maybe the nice young men, in the clean white coats, came to take him away. Ha ha. I don't think he worked for NASA though. There was magic in that episode.

09-08-2007, 01:19 AM	#16
shorty943 Banned Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 805	Mostly based at Woomera I think. About 4 or 5 hours north of me. We get the occasional news report of another spectacular failure. You know, rocket go up, rocket go boom. But, they are legit. This guy was so far left of center, I think he had already left the planet.

09-08-2007, 04:38 AM	#17
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	Oh right! The Kistler launch site at Woomera is in your corner of the island! __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

09-08-2007, 12:08 PM	#18
shorty943 Banned Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 805	So it is. I'll delve deeper into that site.

09-08-2007, 02:35 PM	#19
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	I'm hoping that Kistler can get the financing they need to keep building the K1. I think there's a fear factor involved. That is, fear of the unknown. Their difficulty with raising money certain can't be because investors are looking at the financial potential of the company; otherwise investors would be duking it out in George French's front yard to see who gets a piece of the action. __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

09-11-2007, 11:02 AM	#20
shorty943 Banned Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 805	Yes, not so much the fear of the ships failure. Or even the space tourist gimmick. Perhaps the long term on any return of profits is the real fear. I stepped off world, so to speak, for a day or so. Any news on Steve Fossett?