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From: wetcw@pyuxa.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.politics,net.tv.da
Subject: Re: Re: High-Frontier, What Scientists Can Do
Message-ID: <412@pyuxa.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 6-Dec-83 11:34:15 EST
Article-I.D.: pyuxa.412
Posted: Tue Dec  6 11:34:15 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 9-Dec-83 02:16:28 EST
References: <2889@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Labs, Piscataway
Lines: 37

Why is it that when someone says that a move into space technology
research would be a good idea, others assume that they mean the
development of weapons?  That is not what advocates of the "high
frontier" scenario for the future are saying.  They are advocating
the opening of space frontiers for the good of all mankind.  Space
is the future, like it or not.  

I keep seeing the doom and gloomers saying that resources are being
depleted.  WELL, where are new resources to come from?  SPACE.  The
moon, according to tests of samples brought back, is rich in minerals
that are in short supply here on earth.  We have the technology, why
not put it to good use.  Technology is not limited to those high in
their ivory towers, it is the beginning step in a series of events
that eventually benefit great numbers of people.  

The benefits of space technology are not going to fall out of the
sky (no joke intended).  We have to go after them with all the
energy and purpose possible.  Space projects, on a grand scale such
as NASA ran during the Moon Probes, would be an economic boon and
would benefit the entire world in some manner or another. 

New studies in energy, communications, health, agronomy, electronics,
metals, fabrication, plastics, computers, and dozens of other areas
would be of benefit before the project even got off the ground, so
to speak.  

So, before condeming space projects to the defense spending category,
think about how it could be of some benefit.  When the auto was
invented, people thought the horse was the ultimate in transportation,
and condemed it as a waste of time.  I'm not defending the auto, but
it was the same kind of thinking then.  Use some vision.  Look beyond
what seems to be a way to develop weapons.  Try being positive about
ideas before shooting them down.
 
		T C Wheeler
		(Space Cadet, 3rd Class)