The media is being positive to the X PRIZE and SpaceShipOne, but they will turn against space tourism once a disaster happens.”

What mechanism are you talking about?

There is going to be an accident at some point, no doubt about that, so if you’re suggesting that the industry be made zero-risk then you are suggesting that the industry close its doors immediately.

I can’t imagine that would be what you are suggesting, but I also can’t think of any other way either to make sure there is never a disaster or to make sure that the public has a particular acceptable reaction to a disaster. Please clarify.

I did not have the opportunity to attend Dr. Marburger’s luncheon speech, but I think the attendees are mishearing his intent.

One of the most important findings of the CAIB was that the federal government simply flying astronauts around Earth orbit without a clear and powerful and agreed-on rationale. Spending treasure and blood as a public sector activity has to be a politically defensible activity, since public funds are being used.

According to several published and private accounts, it was this challenge that led to the new Vision for Space Exploration: giving the American people a reason to keep sending astronauts and scientists (as well as robotic explorers) into space.

I expect Dr. Marburger was simply saying that sending people into space just to send them into space isn’t an enduringly valid (i.e. politically sustainable) reason for the government to fly astronauts.

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH COMMERCIAL HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT.

I can speak from direct personal experience that Dr. Marburger and his senior staff are extremely supportive of commercial human spaceflight activities.

My colleagues in the alt.space community may simply have been listening to a scientist with a jaundiced ear based on what scientists tend to think. But Dr. Marburger is not just any scientist. He is a scientific advisor to a President. He understands — and agrees with — the President’s desire for America — including American citizens — to lead humanity into the space frontier.

In particular space is not about (as NASA management or government officials in general who are concerned about science)getting the common man or woman into space for any reason anytime soon, it is just “too dangerous to be left to amateurs” and not a good enough reason to be risking human life,or spending money on space in general. As the U.S.Government sees it at least.

The media is being positive to the X PRIZE and SpaceShipOne, but they will turn against space tourism once a disaster happens.