I'm amazed- that Letterman spoke as perhaps one of the most well informed talkshow people I've ever seen on TV as far as spaceflight is concerned. In fact, there were news people at the press site during the STS-135 launch that were not that well informed (lots of 'em too). Good job Dave!
For that reason alone I think one of the greatest missed opportunities was the scrub of STS-134 on the first attempt, which President Obama was scheduled to attend. He and his family went ahead and visited KSC and toured the OPF, etc., but missed the launch. Not that I necessarily expect it to have changed his views or policies, but it would have brought the realities of human space flight to his attention in a way no briefing or report could ever approach.
Personally, I'm glad we missed that opportunity. The *negative* impact had something gone wrong with the president watching is too horrible to think about, and the launch team showed a lot of integrity by not letting the presidential visit influence their decision-making.
For that reason alone I think one of the greatest missed opportunities was the scrub of STS-134 on the first attempt, which President Obama was scheduled to attend. He and his family went ahead and visited KSC and toured the OPF, etc., but missed the launch. Not that I necessarily expect it to have changed his views or policies, but it would have brought the realities of human space flight to his attention in a way no briefing or report could ever approach.
Personally, I'm glad we missed that opportunity. The *negative* impact had something gone wrong with the president watching is too horrible to think about, and the launch team showed a lot of integrity by not letting the presidential visit influence their decision-making.
Valid point about the potential for a much more negative outcome, and I agree that kudos go to the launch team for making the right call. Hindsight is of course always 20-20, so in the end it that negative outcome did not materialize. Nevertheless, I believe the "dialogue" between Congress and the White House on the future of human space flight would have been different than it currently is, if only because it would be elevated above the mid-level policy and budget folks with a more direct level of involvement at the Oval Office level than I personally believe is currently the case.
I've got a better idea. 51D for President!
There's a guy on here who works for Amtrack - so that's the campaign train sorted. I'll have a word with PM Cameron - who says yes to everything - so there's your standing abroad topped up!
Shake some hands, kiss a few babies and we're half way to having the space program back on track!
Very good appearance by Commander Ferguson; Letterman's enthusiasm is reflective of the impact I've heard so many times before, even from prior skeptics.
Skeptic or not, I agree about the immediate impact. I think most people are perhaps more objective -- or non-committal -- before experiencing a Shuttle launch up close, in person. But afterwards the responses to the experience are more one-sided. We see it in interviews with people afterwards a lot and I couldn't help smiling at Anderson Cooper's reaction on CNN on the air, because it was so similar to what I've seen/heard from others.
Not that I necessarily expect it to have changed his views or policies, but it would have brought the realities of human space flight to his attention in a way no briefing or report could ever approach.
True, but if it doesn't change a decision maker's politics, does that change the dynamic? (And in this case, would it have changed anything before either the election or the next administration?)
