We are missing one of the major motivators from the previous push - fear. Certainly as a nation there are still many things that are feared but none of them is a motivator to explore space. Perhaps if the Chinese race to the moon and kick over one of our flags then things would be accelerated. Aside from that, I think building up an infrastructure by achieving mileposts along the way holds the most promise for a sustained lunar (and beyond) presence, which I believe is in agreement with what Kim said.
-----Original Message----- From: Brent Watson [mailto:brentjwatson@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 2:27 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] President Bush's speech
Bush's time frame is longer than the Apollo time frame, and we had to develop several technologies/spacecraft to do it last time. It should go faster this time - no? We already have a leg up on the reusable technology.
Perhaps I don't see the whole picture, but the plan lacks vision and urgency. The absebce of these items and the demonstrated lack of stick-to-it-ivness we as a nation demonstrate, I, sadly, am less than optimistic that the plan will be accomplished. Too bad - we need to do this for advancementof our race IMHO.