Conference 7.286::space

    	If anyone wants a transcript of the program - which was titled
    BEYOND THE SHUTTLE, if anyone wants to change the Topic title -
    send four dollars to:
    
    	BEYOND THE SHUTTLE
    	Journal Graphics
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    	Now *this* is the kind of programming the networks should be
    showing more often, as opposed to just PBS.  BTS was very accurate
    and up-to-date, with only a minimum of the expect filler talk from
    a network documentary.  I also do not like Lynn Scherr's narrating,
    as she has proven more than once that her knowledge of space
    exploration and astronomy is rather shallow (If only Jules Bergman
    were still alive...).  That aside, this is the kind of information
    that needs to get to the public - I just wish it hadn't been broadcast
    against the Olympics on a Sunday night.
                                
    	It looks like Nixon was a bad apple all around, and the only
    hope I see for any sort of real support for our space program from
    any of our candidates is Llyod Bentsen, Dukakis' VP running mate.
    I am also impressed at how the Soviets plan on landing supplies
    for a manned colony on Mars by the befginning of the next century.
        
    	Larry
    

    I thought the program was interesting, but somewhat "glossy".
    It reminded me a bit too much of, for example, the current batch
    of TV commercials which cut from scene to scene every few seconds.
    There were a lot of quotes from knowledgeable people which seemed
    to have been cut short; maybe it was just a bad editting job.
    
    I also dislike Lynn Sherr immensely.  Her comments during the
    first years of shuttle launches made her appear to be (in my
    humble opinion) a complete airhead.
    
    While I agree Nixon was responsible for the demise of the U.S.
    space program, I think Carter's phasing out of ELV production
    was probably more detrimental.
    
    I wish the show had taken a "tougher" approach and tried to
    interview politicians responsible for the current malaise.
    Some pointed questions to Carter and Reagan could have been
    very interesting.  (Yeah, I know, they never would have given
    approval for an interview.)
    
    You're right, though, that more of this type of program on
    commercial TV are needed.  Sad, too, that it was inserted on
    a "throw-away" night against the Olympics.  Seems a shame to
    waste good programming like that.
    
    After viewing the program, I felt very depressed.  The two jokers
    running for prez offer nothing as far as space policy is concerned.
    Guess it's time to learn Russian and Chinese.
    

    	As well as several European, Indian, and Japanese languages, 
    and maybe even Portuguese (Brazil plans on launching its own 
    satellites in the 1990s).

        One thing BTS indicated but should have said directly is that 
    expansion into space is not only our human destiny, but also what will 
    allow our race to continue to live.  Earth's resources will not last 
    forever, particularly in our type of society.  Interviewing the 
    kids from Space Camp was alright, but if they had emphasized more 
    that the space program is our best investment in humanity's future, 
    I would have been happier.  I don't find many of those in the space 
    fields make it clear enough what the goals of space exploration are to 
    the general public and politicians.
                  
    	I want to see the U.S. expand into space, but if our government
    is too shortsighted, then let someone else who really cares about
    the future do it in our place.  Very few other nations with spaceflight 
    capabilities seem as disoriented and lacking as the U.S..
    
    	Larry
    

	Re: Lloyd Bentson being the only hope for the space program:

	Since Carter and Bentson supported all those expensive
	military boondoggles, people like them have seriously 
	undermined the space program leaving less resources 
	available for non-military space related projects. As
	the campaign unfolds, military boondoggles are 
	still what both candidates count on to help win them
	the election.


	The bottom line question for the space program: 

	WHERE DO YOU GET THE MONEY?

	Realistically, it will come from only two sources.

	a. International Cooperation
	b. Defense Budget

	Unfortunately, the only pre-convention candidate who could
	realistically have hope of even finding significant resources for 
	civilian space related projects was Jackson and he has now faded 
	into the woodwork with his platform.

	International cooperation was another area where Jackson
	was heavily promoting. Given the extremely high cost
	of space, collaboration between nations will likely
	be the most practical economical approach for the
	forseeable future. For projects which nations have
	at least some moderate prospect of receiving 
	economic benefit, it may be more feasible to go it alone.
	For projects related to exploration of distant planets, moons
	and others, cooperation is the most feasible especially
	since the only benefits are mainly the international prestige 
	and possible technological spinoffs.

	Darryl

    	Jesse Jackson the hope of America's future in space?  I seriously
    doubt that.
    
    	This is the same man who was at Cape Kennedy (now Canaveral
    again) when APOLLO 11 lifted off to the Moon protesting the launch,
    as he felt the money could be better spent at home for the poor
    and homeless.  A noble sentiment, but stopping space launches is
    NOT the answer to that problem.  There is also a transcript of
    Jackson's speech on how he would handle the space program in the
    Democrats on Space Topic (do DIR/TITLE=topicname), and basically
    he said he wanted to fund space, but just so long as someone besides
    the government did it.  Jackson does NOT care about space exploration,
    nor do I believe he really understands it.
    
    	The fact is, we haven't had a space-enthusiastic President since
    Johnson, and the results show.
    
    	As for my list of other space-faring countries a few Notes back,
    I can now add Israel to the list, as it just launched its first
    satellite with its own rocket yesterday.  
    
    	Larry
    

    I agree to much 'people mag' all video footage very little
    data, and the interviews were cut short and poorly pasted
    together, but it is a step in the right direction.
    
    I think some of the CCCP footage was new, at least I had not
    seen it, for example the cranking out of the new solar panel
    and footage of FCC (Flight Control Centre) I wished they
    had specified the time and or what flight FCC was monitroing
    as there was some very interesting data on the FCC video 
    board.
    
    john
    .
    

    I just saw the tape last night, and while there were a few nits,
    it's definately a Must See!  Anyone who missed it want to borrow
    a tape?  I think the thing that bothered me the most was the abandoned
    Saturn launchpads.....
    
    Willie

>    Democrats on Space Topic (do DIR/TITLE=topicname), and basically
>    he said he wanted to fund space, but just so long as someone besides
>    the government did it.  Jackson does NOT care about space exploration,
>    nor do I believe he really understands it.
    
	I read note 306.25(?). I would suggest you go back and re-read
	the note. If there is a part 2 to his speech, please refer me.

	If that is someone who does NOT care or	UNDERSTAND the future 
	of Space, I suspect you will find a large segment of the NASA
	and scientific community who also doesn't understand. When you
	have most of congress with the leadership of the
	Reagan Administration supporting such ludicrous projects
	the SDI, it even becomes even more ludicrous to suggest
	that Jackson does not understand Space.

	Taking a demonstration against Appollo 11 flight as proof as
	his opposition to Space exploration and Technology is absurd.
	If you read 306, you will find the reasons for his protests.
	a) Silly competitive races instead of cooperation b) militarization
	of space. If this is not understanding or caring for Space exploration
	or technology then our future in space will be just another
	blank check for waste and destruction. I wouldn't be surprised
	if someone rationalizes the need for a "battlestar galactica"
	to hunt and destroy ... er excuse me I mean defend ourselves
	against the "kleons" who inhabit other worlds and threaten us.
	As the budget deficit soars further, we can get angry at the 
	"lazy" welfare and homeless people for causing it.

	Darryl	

re Note 463.2 by VINO::DZIEDZIC:

>     It reminded me a bit too much of, for example, the current batch
>     of TV commercials which cut from scene to scene every few seconds.

Yes, there was this one scene of moving, out-of-focus lights in the dark that
they showed over and over and over.


>     While I agree Nixon was responsible for the demise of the U.S.
>     space program, I think Carter's phasing out of ELV production
>     was probably more detrimental.
  
Yes, a team effort. :-{

Bob

    	I am basing my statements on Jackson's approach to the U.S.
    space program from sources other than the Note in Topic 306.
    Essentially Jackson does not really care about the space program,
    and he would cut funding to it massively.  I do understand and agree
    with him that funding for SDI and other bloated space military projects
    is wrong, but he would also cut out the wheat with the chaff in
    the process.
    
    	Also, since Jackson is now out of the race, I think the whole
    point becomes rather moot, but I am no more thrilled with the
    candidates we do have.
    
    	Larry
                          

	re: -1

	I would be curious to know who really does care or has cared. 

    good pictures,lacked substance. For me it was the end of a cycle.
    it was strange that i was making these connections in time.
    when we landed on the moon in 69 i was 14 in a golf caddy camp,
    the tv pictures i though were poor so i went to my bunk and was
    reading arthur clark's "profile of the future" when they landed,
    i marked the place in my book and was very high on what the
    future would hold for me in space...
    when i was watching the show my reception was bad i just listened
    and all i could see in my mind was a material science book i
    borrowed from northeastern, translated from french,translated from
    russian, papers on what's been learned on mir, i was very depressed
    knowing that there will be no future for me in space...
    pete

    C'mon people.  This is just the sort of program that's needed to get
    people to casually find out about the space program and its troubles
    and woes.  Why do you think that hard-core space programs are limited
    to PBS?  Because the population doesn't watch them.  We need more
    programs just like this one.
    
    The program served two very important functions:
    
    1. Space research can help you.  The program listed several good points.
    
    2. Space research needs money and isn't getting it.  This was stated
    many times.
    
    The greatest problem with the show, as pointed out, was that it was up
    against the Olympics.  Bummer.
    
John