X-Andrew-Authenticated-as: 7997;andrew.cmu.edu;Ted Anderson
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Wed, 11 Apr 90 01:39:17 -0400 (EDT)
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To: space+@Andrew.CMU.EDU
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 90 01:38:38 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: SPACE Digest V11 #246
SPACE Digest Volume 11 : Issue 246
Today's Topics:
Re: Minuteman ( was: Quick launches )
Galileo Update - 04/10/90
Re: Interview with head of Glavkosmos (long: 226 lines)
In article <12811@venera.isi.edu> cew@venera.isi.edu (Craig E. Ward) writes:
>I haven't seen the survey that Dave Smith alludes to; however, from his
>description, I know the type of questionnaire he is talking about.
[text deleted]
>Unfortunately, getting them from so many
>different kinds of groups leads me to believe that this is the style that the
>conventional-wisdom-of-mass-mailings says will work. In this case, the
>National Space Society is trying to promote itself using tested and reliable
>tactics.
Yes, agreed. The survey, however, is designed to produce specific responses
from the respondent. The way I have interpreted the responses it "wants"
you to give is 110% in favor of NASA/Aerospace/Big Government sponsored
and backed space exploration.
No mention is made in the survey form of commercial development in space.
No questions which allow for criticism of the way that space exploration is
currently being performed are asked. I'll include the survey at the end and
you can draw your own conclusions.
>The NSS should be given some good marks for at
>least trying to broaden its support with proven methods.
Agreed. As someone pointed out in e-mail to me, every organization needs
sheep. This is fine. However, I don't like their agenda as shown to me
from that survey
>
>I'm getting tired of the "NSS as NASA cheerleader" chorus.
If the shoe fits. I don't know what other surveys the NSS uses to
show support, but this one has nothing to do with non-government
space exploration. Maybe commercial involvement is deemed to be
too complicated for Joe Six-pack to understand. However, I saw
no mention of financial benefits to be made from space. Just
stuff about exploration and science (both good things, but people
understand $ better).
>Many of the people who cry "cheerleader" or "deaf ear" are really just
>admitting that their ideas are not standing up to criticism when presented to
>NSS leaders. The "cheerleader defense" might make good net flame material,
>but it doesn't make for good argument.
Sorry, I had no contact with the NSS previous to this survey. What I wrote
was based largely on what I read from the survey. I have heard the
cheerleader accusation before and what I read in the survey and
accompanying documents supported it.
>The National Space Society is a pluralistic organization that has to balance a
>wide variety of views and interests. I believe it is fast becoming the
>paramount space activist group in the world. It can be an important tool for
>"creating a spacefaring civilization that will establish communities beyond
>the Earth."
I'd like to believe so. They've gotten off on the wrong foot with me,
however, and maybe with a lot of other people too.
Here's the survey I got in the mail:
National Survey No. 2370938476 T/F
1. Given the undisputed fact that space program innovations have provided a
variety of benefits for life here on Eath - from weather forecasting, to
scratch-resistant glass, to laser heart surgery - how would you rank the
importance of the space program to our nation. Would you say it is:
Very important
Important
Not important
2. How important is the continued exploration of space - the search for new
planets, new stars, new life - to you personally? Is it:
Very important
Important
Not important
3. Scientists have long debated the question: Are we alone? In your opinion,
what is the likelihood that there are other forms of intelligent life in the
universe?
Very likely
Likely
Unlikely
4. President Reagan committed the U.S. to a permanently manned Space Station
in much the same way that President Kennedy committed the nation to putting
a man on the moon, How do you view the idea of a permanently manned Space
Station? Do you regard it:
Very favorably
Favorably
Unfavorably
5. Over the years, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
has been responsible for virtually every facet of America's space program,
including such success stories as Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and the Space
Shuttle. What is you assessment of the job NASA has done? Do you:
Strongly approve
Approve
Disapprove
6. For years, America led the world into space. But [sic] now it is argued
that other countries have equalled or even surpassed, America's space prowess.
In your opinion, where does America's civilian space program stand in
relation to those of other nations? Is it:
Ahead of other countires
Even with other countries
Behind other countries
7. In your view, where should America's civilian space program be in relation
to other nations? Should it be:
Ahead of other countries
Even with other countries
Behind other countries
8. Maintaining U.S. leadership in space will require increasing NASA's budget
to about 1% of the total federal budget - about $2 billion a year. Do you
agree that this is a reasonable amount to pay for continued exploration of the
universe and the advancements that would surely result from it?
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
9. Would you be willing to spend just a few pennies a day in support of the
National Space Society's efforts to ensure that America continues the
greatest adventure humandkind may ever know - the exploration of space?
YES (if yes, please see form below
No
Membership Acceptance Form
YES! I firmly believe that the time has come to propel America's civilian
space program forward into a new era of exploration and science. That's
why I'll gladly support the historic efforts of the National Space Society.
Please enroll me as a member immediately. I understand my membership
benefits include Ad Astra magazine, membership in Society chapters, VIP
invitations, special discounts and more. Enclosed is my check for:
various dollar amounts and other unimportant info.
--
David L. Smith
FPS Computing, San Diego
ucsd!celerity!dave or dave@fps.com
"What does this Notme guy look like and why does he work at my company?"
------------------------------
Date: 10 Apr 90 21:34:47 GMT
From: pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!uflorida!haven!aplcen!jhunix!gwollman@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu (Garrett A Wollman)
Subject: Re: HST Images (long)
In article <15346@bfmny0.UU.NET>, tneff@bfmny0.UU.NET (Tom Neff) writes:
>I think it would be enough for someone at JPL or Goddard to declare
>[...]
Why not someone at STScI?
-GAWollman
--
"All societies are based on rules to protect pregnant women and children.
. . . As racial survival is the only universal morality, no other bases
is possible." - Lazarus Long [RAH, _TEFL_]
---------------Hopkins doesn't *want* my opinions------------------------
