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December 10, 2004

Opening the New Frontier

** Don't forget to listen to the audio clip at the end of this post. **

Lots of movement today in the space exploration arena today. NASA has confirmed that there's a developing food shortage on the International Space Station. The occupants aren't in any danger as of yet, but the provisions have had to be rationed out and if there's a delay in resupply, then come of the astronauts may have to leave early.

It's ironic that this was announced today, or maybe it was planned. The coincidence lies Rep. Dana Rohrabacher's, R-Calif., Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act, or H.R. 5382. The bill has passed both houses and awaits President Bush's signature, there does not appear to be any reason this bill won't pass into law.

The new law opens up the way for commercial entities like Virgin Airways to move forward with their space tourism plans with vechicles like Spaceship One. The oversight for commercial space tourism will reside with the FAA who will protect the public interest for the next 8 years, then in 2012 the FAA will begin to regulate commercial space tourism industry with an eye toward passenger safety.

I like the fact that they're giving the breathing room for the industry to get off the ground, although I agree with the Space Access Society that 8 years may be not long enough for a viable industry to develop.

I'm excited about this legislation. I'm sure that numerous companies will partner with existing space agencies to develop cheaper and cheaper rocketry and space planes. Planes that get bigger and bigger, carrying more people higher and higher.

I'm sure that soon we'll be seeing retrofitted B-52 or maybe even B-1 bomber frames being put out by the large aeronautic giants such as Boeing, Lockheed or Northrop. These large plane will serve as space plane launchers inserting commerical craft into low earth orbit.

Maybe in the coming years we'll see commercial entities bidding on the freight contracts to the ISS and other orbital platforms. Space Hotels are just around the corner.

I support any legislation, companies or governmental agency which works to get humans into space. I think that man has a "NEED" to explore and I firmly believe that only space colonization can distract attention away from the age old passtime we humans share, war.

Yes, that's it, I said it, I firmly believe that colonization of other worlds and the nearer orbital space around with will lead to world peace. Having a place new frontier to explore will allow us to focus outward with an eye toward the future rather than simply sit around and stew in our nationalist, and religious soups. Getting off the rock is a cause to rally around. It's sexy and exciting, and the economic potential is simply astounding. I think that every dollar spent on space exploration will return 100 fold in the near future.

--Jason

While I'm at it, heres a link to a good video clip about George Bush's view on future space exploration.

HERE's a bonus sound clip from SETI, those are the kiddies that are looking for E.T.'s cellphone signal. The audio clip is of an "Anomalous Signal" that SETI and some other researchers are trying to figure out. I've listened to it about 10 times. I'm hoping it's not something like GPS constellation interference or Moonbounce. It's VERY cool nonetheless.

Posted by JasonColeman at December 10, 2004 12:28 AM