Main Article:It's Time for Obama to show he won the election.
This is no time to be squimish about leading the Nation. It is not a time to try small, little things. BIG and BOLD! That is, in my opinion, what President Elect Barack Obama must do.
Poll Results: Saturday in Space - weekly tracking poll on NASA spending, a new record was set. Scroll down to get the latest results, click subscribe to stay informed with newest results.
Yesterday's Interesting Comments: "Oh, Darksyde!Damned cool--thanks" - Neon Vincent
Today's Poll: So Let it be Written, So Let it be Done.
What is Current NASA's Chief Administrator's fate? You decide, scroll down to take the poll.
Today Dark Syde published a strong article "What NASA Could Be" and last Thursday vc2 wrote: "NASA gone rogue? will not cooperate with Obama". Both articles outlined the recent firestorm between President Elect Barack Obama's transition team, lead by Lori Garver and NASA Administrator, Dr. Michael Griffin. This is not a rehash about those events but about the future:
"If this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything, it is that man, in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred. The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time, and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind "
"We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people."
"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we're willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone,"
"The growth of our science and education will be enriched by new knowledge of our universe and environment, by new techniques of learning and mapping and observation, by new tools and computers for industry, medicine, in the home as well as the school."
"And finally, the space effort itself, while still in its infancy, has already created a great number of new companies, and tens and thousands of new jobs. Space and related industries are generating new demands in investment and skilled personnel,"
Kennedy's Speech - Rice University - Audio Part 1 - Audio Part 2
Where does the Nation go from here? "Love em or hate em" President Bush's call for America to leave Low Earth Orbit was a bold stroke and was supported from this corner. Lets not throw away an idea because we didn't like the messanger.
'Americans in Space' has tried to keep personalities out of the polling and in 27 polls on NASA and various space issues, Dr. Griffin was specifically mentioned in only one poll: Do you feel NASA is pushing Commercial Space?
58% No Opinion
38% Griffin did a poor job more funding is needed for commercial space.
02% Griffin did a good job.No more funding is needed.
In brief, Constellation is the system architecture that will be used to return America to Earth's moon, Luna. The Main components are the Ares I (crew launch vehicle & Orion crew capsule) and the Ares V ( Earth Departure System (EDS) and the Altair Lunar Lander. This system will be used to complete President Bush's 2004speech, Vision for Space Exploration or VSE. Vision For Space Exploration (PDF file 32 pages, great images)
The only competitor for the Constellation systems is Direct 2.0. Others say a "clean sheet" program should be started for either Luna, Mars, or an asteroid.
Included in the main article is today's poll and it will be directly related to the NASA Chief. It would be appreciated by the 'Americans in Space' diary if as many DKOS members could be contacted to take this poll as possible. These are the choices along with four no opinion choices.
Griffin stays: Continue VSE & Constellation as is.
Griffin stays: Continue VSE & Drop Ares I keep Ares V.
Griffin stays: Continue VSE & Change Constellation Architecture.
Griffin stays: Continue VSE & switch to Direct 2.0.
Griffin stays: Drop VSE and write a new vision.
Griffin leaves: Continue VSE & Constellation as is.
Griffin leaves: Continue VSE & Drop Ares I keep Ares V.
Griffin leaves: Continue VSE & Change Constellation Architecture.
Griffin leaves: Continue VSE & switch to Direct 2.0.
Griffin leaves: Drop VSE and write a new vision.
STAY OR LEAVE:
It is a very serious responsiblity to call for the firing of a person and possibly seperating them, quite literally, from the entire body of their life's work. That is what this program is to the current NASA Administrator, his legacy. To call for the death of an American's legacy can not be taken lightly.
The two diaries mentioned at the start of this article had over 1000 responses ranging from all manner of support or distain. Tonight we will look at the numbers. Where do you want President Elect Obama to lead this Nation? Into the history books, with a new chapter on American excellence in space, or change the current American vision for space exploration.
I leave you with one last thought from President Kennedy's speech before you express your opinion.
"Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked why did he want to climb it. He said, "Because it is there."
Well, space is there, and we're going to climb it, and the moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. And, therefore, as we set sail we ask God's blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.
Thank you. (end speech)"
POLL RESULTS: SATURDAY IN SPACE
'Americans in Space' weekly tracking poll on what percentage of the federal budget should go towards NASA and space spending.
Increase NASA funding above four percent of the federal budget pulled the highest at 20% with 18% of DKOS members choosing a one percent funding level for NASA coming in second.
Maintain the current fundling level only received (1%) this is the lowest amount for current funding option since starting the weekly tracking poll.
Dec 13, 2008, Sat Dec 6, 2008, Sat Nov 29, 2008, Sat Nov 22, 2008
YESTERDAY'S INTERESTING COMMENTS:
A tip of the hat to Ferris Valyn:
"Also, its worth noting that there are individual companies within the Aerospace sector who are talking to the NASA transition team - There are at least 2 pages over at change.gov for Boeing (first and
second), one from Arianespace (which I find endlessly fascinating) and one from ... SpaceX.
And of course, the good people at X Prize weighted in
I haven't had a chance to finish reading them, but I will."
----------
"Defense contractors - While I think we spend too little on R&D generally, I get a little suspicious when folks like our large defense contractors (which is most of aerospace) start doing PR ads in newspapers asking for more money.
That may not be entirely fair. But somebody better be saying it." - mbayrob
TODAY'S POLL: So let it be written so let it be done.
It's Time for Obama to show he won the election.