Xref: utzoo sci.space:6232 sci.space.shuttle:919
Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!bellcore!faline!thumper!karn
From: karn@thumper.bellcore.com (Phil R. Karn)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Von Braun quote
Summary: now we're getting somewhere
Message-ID: <1258@thumper.bellcore.com>
Date: 22 Jul 88 21:51:43 GMT
References: <1988Jun17.053132.5314@utzoo.uucp>, <3361@phri.UUCP> <2204@mtuxo.att.com>
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Inc
Lines: 25

> > I've never understood why it's so necessary to put humans into space in
> > order to benefit from their ability to react to unforseen circumstances.

> But it would'nt be near as much fun!

*NOW* we're getting somewhere. I'd object far less to the human-in-space
camp if they were only up front and honest about their motivations. I
enjoy a shuttle launch as much as anyone (I was one of the few people
who saw Challenger blow up in real time on TV) but I don't fool myself
into believing that flying humans on a Shuttle is the best way to launch
a geostationary communications satellite.

There *are* a few legitimate applications for humans in orbit, such as
life sciences research, or even Christa McAuliffe's planned science
class demonstrations. I also appreciate the human adventure and the
sheer entertainment value more than you might think. BUT I am careful to
distinguish these latter aspects from practical issues like
cost-effectiveness.

Unfortunately, many people simply don't do this. The result is something
resembling a religious cult that spends much of its time reinforcing
each others' rationalizations for putting as many humans into space as
possible, whether or not it makes rational, economic sense.

Phil