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Path: utzoo!kcarroll
From: kcarroll@utzoo.UUCP (Kieran A. Carroll)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: SPACE STATION ALERT
Message-ID: <3614@utzoo.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 9-Mar-84 14:21:18 EST
Article-I.D.: utzoo.3614
Posted: Fri Mar  9 14:21:18 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 9-Mar-84 14:21:18 EST
References: <2578@rabbit.UUCP>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
Lines: 21

*

We're not going into space simply to do science; the main reason for the
space station (perhaps not in the eyes of the administration) is
to start opening up space for development and (cover your ears!)
exploitation. While all the planetary science is very worthwhile,
advancing our theories of solar system formation and all that,
they are the areas of space exploration that return The Least
to the paying public. Perhaps the scientists who sponsor such missions
should actually be the ones to pay for them? Although on their salaries,
it's take an awfully long time to scrape up half a billion dollars...
(heavy sarcasm)
On the other hand, the space station wil provide a place to start learning
how to do manufacturing in space, including learning how well
people can work there. This will be necessary before such things as
lunar mining bases, and solar power satellites can be made to work.
Of course, if you feel that mankind is destined to stay on the surface of
the earth forever, then perhaps you're right in feeling that
a space station is a waste of money.
-Kieran A. Carroll
...decvax!utzoo!kcarroll