The New NASA

[Wetzel]

They have been working on a replacement for the Space Shuttle for years, and I have the back issues of Pop Sci to prove it.

That said, for programs of this size, 10 years is not longterm.

I forsee more research and work on the ISS. Maybe they will even finnish it one of these days. I have a poster on my wall with the build schedule from 1998. It projected it to be done about now, but it is at about mid 2001 on the schedule.

We will not send a human to Mars within 15 years, there is not the will. We could if we wanted to, but we don't.

A much bigger emphasis on human safety and equipment maintence.

I think the contracting process will change drasticly, with the contractors either being absorbed back into NASA, or new more detailed oversight. Absorbtion of most is what I am leaning towards.

Shuttle flights will resume within a year.

New procedures to replace outdated technology. (Like the old crappy cameras watching the launch)

Personel empowerment type stuff. More discussion of anyones questions. Mayhaps even a public/access controlled board where questions could be placed and academics around the world could share their thoughts with the NASA enginners.


Faster better cheaper. You can not do all three well, at least one has to give. You can do it faster for less, but the quailty will drop. I forsee faster getting the shaft.

Of course I will be way off in 10 years.
Thats the way technology predictions work.
They don't.


Wetzel
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How about a really big cannon...