This thread is all very amusing, but you're all missing the point. Bigelows problem is transportation. He needs a crew capsule that could actually take people to his destination. Why would he start building his Space Station if he can't get anyone there??? He's a visionary, but he's not stupid!We should all be writing letters to our elected officials to advocate:1) NASA should fund a Commercial Crew Initiative. (NOT COTS D with it's "skin in the game" provision.) 2) Get NASA OUT OF THE WAY!! (NO NASA Bureaucrat Engineers levying garbage requirements.) 3) Get a CREDIBLE domestic company to build a commercial capsule. (I'll bet you a dollar that there's probably a start at an Orion "Lite" design out there in someone's desk drawer.) 4) Put it on an existing, flight demonstrated launch vehicle. (Duh!)Stand back and watch what happens in 3 years.
I have read rumors that Lockheed got in hot water with NASA brass for discussing potential plans to fly a inexpensive crew taxi on Atlas V for Bigelow and thereafter backed away from talking about this in public.
Quote from: general on 02/23/2009 03:25 amThis thread is all very amusing, but you're all missing the point. Bigelows problem is transportation. He needs a crew capsule that could actually take people to his destination. Why would he start building his Space Station if he can't get anyone there??? He's a visionary, but he's not stupid!We should all be writing letters to our elected officials to advocate:1) NASA should fund a Commercial Crew Initiative. (NOT COTS D with it's "skin in the game" provision.) 2) Get NASA OUT OF THE WAY!! (NO NASA Bureaucrat Engineers levying garbage requirements.) 3) Get a CREDIBLE domestic company to build a commercial capsule. (I'll bet you a dollar that there's probably a start at an Orion "Lite" design out there in someone's desk drawer.) 4) Put it on an existing, flight demonstrated launch vehicle. (Duh!)Stand back and watch what happens in 3 years.I have read rumors that Lockheed got in hot water with NASA brass for discussing potential plans to fly a inexpensive crew taxi on Atlas V for Bigelow and thereafter backed away from talking about this in public.Recently I've also heard it said that the ghost of former management still haunts NASA HQ and that people shall be reluctant to propose or discuss ideas not consistent with the party line until there is clear evidence that the new Administrator shall create a new culture about ventures that could "compete" with NASA for the public's imagination.Hopefully, the new Administrator shall be supportive of a crewed Bigelow station and new launchers to get people there as I believe that a genuine LEO hotel and/or a genuine LEO sports facility will drive demand for launches far more than even a propellant depot.Even the absence of hostility might be enough.
Bigelow is apperently now planning to use ET's knowledge to get people to his space station:MUFON to receive major funding from billionaire backer
Quote from: Zond on 03/07/2009 12:42 pmBigelow is apperently now planning to use ET's knowledge to get people to his space station:MUFON to receive major funding from billionaire backer Okay, so he believes that there is an ETI explanation for the UFO phenomenon and is willing to put his money where his mouth is. So what? The point is, irrespective of whether or not he is a secret UFO cultist, Bigelow is doing a lot of important work with respect to making commercial manned space access a reality. It isn't as if he is personally directing the design process is it?
Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 03/08/2009 01:04 pmQuote from: Zond on 03/07/2009 12:42 pmBigelow is apperently now planning to use ET's knowledge to get people to his space station:MUFON to receive major funding from billionaire backer Okay, so he believes that there is an ETI explanation for the UFO phenomenon and is willing to put his money where his mouth is. So what? The point is, irrespective of whether or not he is a secret UFO cultist, Bigelow is doing a lot of important work with respect to making commercial manned space access a reality. It isn't as if he is personally directing the design process is it? "So what" is that investors don't tend to trust their money with people they percieve as kooks. Can't say I'm free of that particular predudice myself.
MUFON?!! Oh my. Does he know something we don't?
Not at all. Don't read the shocked look on my face to be anything other than what it is. It's his money. Aliens or not, who cares? He's the only guy on earth building space stations. I simply find it curious someone can be both so analytical and meticulous with engineering and business and then pursue such wild, unproven speculations at the same time. Genius borders on insanity, huh?
Have you guys considered the he himself might be an alien ;-)
"As long as his vehicles are well built by sound engineering, it all really doesn't matter WHY he's doing it, does it? "Not at all. Don't read the shocked look on my face to be anything other than what it is. It's his money. Aliens or not, who cares? He's the only guy on earth building space stations. I simply find it curious someone can be both so analytical and meticulous with engineering and business and then pursue such wild, unproven speculations at the same time. Genius borders on insanity, huh?Coach
I simply find it curious someone can be both so analytical and meticulous with engineering and business and then pursue such wild, unproven speculations at the same time.
Quote from: mmeijeri on 03/10/2009 11:58 amHave you guys considered the he himself might be an alien ;-)Nah, never occured to us. After all, immigration rules state that we aren't allowed to interfere in human technological development...Oops! I said too much, I think
website is practically down. All it gives is a link to email login. Bad sign?
