Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!ncis.llnl.gov!ncis!helios.ee.lbl.gov!pasteur!ucbvax!decwrl!labrea!rutgers!rochester!pt.cs.cmu.edu!andrew.cmu.edu!da1n+ From: da1n+@andrew.cmu.edu (Daniel K. Appelquist) Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle Subject: Re: Teacher vs Journalist in Space Message-ID: Date: 18 Jan 89 09:42:09 GMT References: <10373@well.UUCP> Distribution: na Organization: Carnegie Mellon Lines: 25 In-Reply-To: <10373@well.UUCP> tneff@well.UUCP (Tom Neff) Writes: >With very great respect to Barbara Morgan, whom they will presumably >offer the TIS berth if she hasn't had enough after seven years, I think >this is a wrongheaded attitude on NASA's part. Let us agree that the >Shuttle is an inherently risky bird to fly. Which civilian profession >has a more appropriate role (and distinguished record) in dangerous >places? Journalists scramble for the opportunity to go in harm's way, >because that way Pulitzers lie (and other, nobler reasons, but you get >the point). Remember that the main point of the "Teacher In Space," "Dentist in Space" etc.. thing was to show that space was safe. (ironically) Nasa wanted to bring across an immage of these flights being absolutely routine, with no danger. Putting a journalist in space would, as you point out, hearken back to the "journalists in vietnam" stuff, presenting an immage of space as a high-risk venture which would be better abandoned. Now, of course, even though this whole campaign has been shot to hell the comittments to various educational organizations have been made. The teacher thing has got to proverbally fly, and some sources of funds may be indirectly involved. Granted, a journalist would be the sensible choice at this point, but now Nasa's locked in. It's a damn shame, but that's the way it goes. Dan A.