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From: cozadde@trsvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Cost of the Shuttle - (nf)
Message-ID: <56000015@trsvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-May-84 12:32:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: trsvax.56000015
Posted: Wed May  9 12:32:00 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 18-May-84 01:47:56 EDT
References: <316@astrovax.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:astrovax:-31600:trsvax:56000015:000:1822
Nf-From: trsvax!cozadde    May  9 11:32:00 1984

#R:astrovax:-31600:trsvax:56000015:000:1822
trsvax!cozadde    May  9 11:32:00 1984



	To: Ed Turner	astrovax

	I, too, think the manned space program was a waste of money,
	but only the part between the X-20 Dyna-soar and the space
	shuttle.  The entire part of the manned space program that
	includes the Mercury project through the Apollo project was
	a publicity stunt dreamed up by the Kennedy admin.  If the
	X-20 had been completed and the space shuttle (which uses
	mostly 1965-1970 technology) had been started on time, the
	space scientist types would be complaining about not getting
	enough money for their 1000 kilometer base-line radio tele-
	scope in Lunar orbit or their 10,000 inch optical telescope
	in Lagrangen-4 or 5 orbit.  So, the manned space program lost
	between 10 to 20 years (more than half of a hopeful astronaut's
	career) to a publicity stunt.  Maybe if we worked together, we
	can make up for some lost time.  Instead, it seems the 'space'
	scientists would rather sit at the bottom of a 100 mile well of
	dirty air that is getting more polluted by the day.  I have
	heard the IRAS unmanned telescope was able to produce more infor-
	mation in 1 day than an earth bound telescope could produce in a
	year.  What kind of productivity would a manned IRAS type tele-
	scope in Lunar orbit have in contrast to an unmanned IRAS in LEO.

	In conclusion, there is a saying that has a collolary:  In your
	life some rain must fall, but it might wash the dust from your
	eyes and your mouth if used properly.  If the 'space' scientists
	would get behind and push for the manned space program instead of
	throwing rocks all the time, the benefits they may receive could
	be greater than they could ever hope for by clinging to the dust
	of the earth.

					lt. of marines
					David E. Cozad
					Chairman DFW SpacePac
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