What were all those rovers and probes for then?

Possibly a tiny bit of science but mostly reconnaissance. Determining that water may have existed at some undetermined date in the past constitutes reconnaissance, not science; science involve determining when the water existed, over what area, how often — the who, what, when, where, why, and how, information can only be obtained by extensive, detailed field work that no foreseeable rover will ever do.

Or, to quote myself, At best, they have done initial, and mostly remote, reconnaissance from orbit that is one step above telescopic observation, or from point locations on a very small number of surfaces. This undoubtedly an impressive achievement, however, it has been executed at great expense and with very little real knowledge of what the worlds of the Solar System are like to show for it.

To call what humanity has done on the planets so far “science” grossly overstates what we have accomplished, and lets “scientists” get away with pretending that you can automate real, creative, hands-on science and exploration.

– Donald

What were all those rovers and probes for then?

That said, I fully agree with your first two paragraphs. That is why Dr. Griffin’s decision to develop new launch vehicles was a bad one: it will inevitably push NASA out of its budgetary box and draw budgetary attention to the VSE. That is a bad thing if you want to see any real exploration of the Solar System in our lifetimes.

Charles: we would be better served if they used their access and expertise to find out what the voters SHOULD want and vote that way.

That may be true, but I like to pretend we are lucky enough to live in the remains of a citzen’s democracy.

– Donald

As long as NASA keeps within its budgetary box, VSE will stay clear of the national radar screen. However once the true facts of the outlays required to implement the Griffin plan become apparent, then it will draw more scrutiny.

Of course, the ’06 election could usher in a more critical senate and congress, which would cause a pushback on NASA’s budget. The likely outcome is a drawout on schedules and the start of the all too familiar slow death spiral. It will take several more years until VSE is mercifully expunged from the books and NASA can resume what it does best – conducting scientific-driven exploration.

But in many ways we would be better served if they used their access and expertise to find out what the voters SHOULD want and vote that way.

In the Texas 22nd district race – both Lampson and Sekula-Gibbs want full funding for NASA. Not that they say what NASA should do with the money.

Or Iraq and immigration lowered to the level of NASA. Either way works.