Take THAT NASA!!!

[kc0ebm]

Take THAT NASA!!!

For decades you have hoarded public money and have spent our public fortune and have returned to us only token appreciation. #For decades, on our dime, you have made yourself famous by putting man on the moon and looking deep into the realm of God Almighty and you have kept unspeakable secrets from us.

NOW, we the PEOPLE have our own space program!!! #And if we can make it successful, we will starve you and open those secrets that you have kept from us and we will blow you away with efficiency and technology and fiscal and moral accountability.

For those of you who don't know, Burt Rutan is the brainchild of the world record setting Voyager aircraft that flew non-stop non-refueled around the globe. #Burt Rutan is an aeronautical engineer and inventer and experimenter and a private entreprenuer in experimental aviation. #And now, as of this morning, the leader in private sector space entreprenuership.

This morning, shortly after sunrise, Burt Rutan launched the first "privately sponsored" spacecraft. #The launch vehicle is Burt Rutan's own creation. #It is a futuristic looking, high aspect ratio winged, twin engine jet powered craft, somewhat resembling the Voyager. #Slung beneath the main fuselage of the launch vehicle, is the actual rocket powered aerospace plane capable of carrying passengers into suborbital space. #The launch vehicle, with the spacecraft slung beneath, takes off and climbs to launch altitude. #Then, the spacecraft is ejected from the belly of the launch vehicle and soars unpowered until safely clear of the mother ship. #At that point, the pilot of the space vehicle, Mike Melville, the close personal friend of Burt Rutan, ignites the rockets that propell the spacecraft from level flight into a near vertical ascent into the blackness of space, (at least 62 miles in altitude) and in the process, accelerates to nearly 3000 miles per hour. #

Once the powered portion of the flight is over, the spacecraft becomes a glider, much like the Space Shuttle that we are all familiar with. #In a zero G arch that lasts several minutes, the spacecraft transitions to the appropriate attitude for safe reentry into the atmosphere. #The time in space ride lasts several minutes, and the craft provides plenty of passengers visual access to space through its many windows. #

Due to the reduced reentry speed of the spacecraft, reentry is "non-eventful" and lacks the criticality of space shuttle reentry. #Once within the atmosphere, the spacecraft again becomes a glider and then descends gradually and safely and eventually lands on the departure runway from which it was launched. #

While the general process is not at all new, (early NASA and USAF test flights used this general configuration) what is new is the revolutionary "private" design of the these craft. #And what is more, the "private" nature of its sponsorship, its ownership, and its operations. #

Both aircraft, the launch vehicle and the space vehicle, were designed by Burt Rutan, and built by his private aircraft company, Scaled Composits, located in the Mojave Desert at an airport once used by the USAF. #Both vehicles are futuristic looking designs built out of high technology composite materials similar to Burt's fuel sipping, globe trotting Voyager.

But the real revolution of this venturous endeavor is the, now, very real prospect of making space available to CIVILIANS!!! #Finally, Burt has delivered the very credible likelihood that we tax paying members of society will finally reap the primary benefit of space endeavors, rather than have them gobbled up and squirreled away by greedy politicians, secretive national security agencies, the USAF, the Department of Defense, and other Gubmint agencies who control NASA behind closed doors. #

Nowadays, most of the content of Space Shuttle payloads are classified. #They are property of DoD, CIA, NSA, and other clandestine agencies. #And due to the secretive nature of these frequent secret payloads, the public has become sidelined financiers of a program that has largely become off limits to us. #Hell, even the deep space photos taken by the Hubble Space Telescope have been kept from us. #And those that are released to the public, are only available if we pay out the nose to see them. #We already paid for those photos. #Why in hell should we have to pay AGAIN?

When the public realizes what Burt Rutan and his Scaled Composits crew, and his private sponsors have delivered to us, private investment opportunities are certain to be realized. #And when that public support hits Burt's drafting board, BIG THINGS are sure to follow, and its investers will reap the profits and there won't be any Gubmint bureaucracies getting their greedy grubby mitts on the products, or the data, or the "PICTURES". #Neither will NASA be telling those who go into space what they can talk about, and what they CAN'T TALK ABOUT!!! Finally, space endeavores will be free of Gubmint control and the fruits of space will belong to the PUBLIC DOMAIN.

I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait to dig into this IPO. #And the dividends, if there ever are any, won't be my primary interest in buying either!

Who said the days of American aviation icons and heros is over? #We've still got Burt Rutan!

[ke4mej]

I have to say it...i agree with you 100% on this one, ebm! #Even though NASA and the government bureaucracy that goes with it has accomplished some great things, it has moved with the typical slowness that only bureaucracy can breed. #Now that private enterprise is finally involved in the first small steps of space travel, i think we can expect to see big steps in a very short time. #Burt Rutan has always been an innovator, and he has good financial backing for this venture. #Other innovative Americans will soon follow, someone will figure out how to make it profitable...new technology will develop quickly, and we will all be better for it.

I don't care what anyone says...the American Dream is still alive and well!

73
Chuck

[w5lda]

Don't hold your breath guys,,our wonderful government will pull his plug very shortly and that is a shame but that is how our government works.They always need their hands in our pocket.

Larry kd5vsg

[kc0ebm]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ke4mej @ June 21 2004,14:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I have to say it...i agree with you 100% on this one, ebm! #Even though NASA and the government bureaucracy that goes with it has accomplished some great things, it has moved with the typical slowness that only bureaucracy can breed. #Now that private enterprise is finally involved in the first small steps of space travel, i think we can expect to see big steps in a very short time. #Burt Rutan has always been an innovator, and he has good financial backing for this venture. #Other innovative Americans will soon follow, someone will figure out how to make it profitable...new technology will develop quickly, and we will all be better for it.

I don't care what anyone says...the American Dream is still alive and well!

73
Chuck[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Well said Chuck,

I am VERY excited to see this venture litterally LEAP into space for the benefit of mankind, and not just for the benefit of a select few from the alphabet soup of DC.

Government has proven repeatedly that they only care about their own preservation. #They don't give a damn about the people that pay the bills. #

At some point in the development of PRIVATE space enterprise, I envision the eventual support for a political move to drastically cut the NASA budget and to change its name from NASA, to just NSA or CIA. #Either one of those names are far more appropriate to describe NASA's real function these days. #

But, I see a problem on the immediate horizon. #Civil astronautics, (which would be a great name for what Rutan is building) will prove to be an extremely efficient and extraordinarilly cost effective means to conduct Gubmint sanctioned space missions. #At all cost, I hope the movers and shakers of the emerging civil astronautic concerns will avoid gubmental entanglements like the AIDS virus. #Like the AIDS virus, total abstenance is the only perfect contraception against gubmint control. #If civil astronautics is to survive, and remain in the control of civil entities for civil benefit, it must at all cost refuse any gubmint proposals. #They must catagorically refuse any tax relief or any other gubmint assistance. #Also, they must form a powerful political lobby that will handcuff the gubmint from imposing unnecessary restrictions and limitations upon civil astronautics. #

Eventually, if not immediately, I see conflicts arising from National Security concerns. #And while some of those concerns are legitimate, the gubmint must be forced to take the least restrictive approach upon civil astronautics to resolve those conflicts. #We don't need civil astronautics to be unnecessarilly hampered by bogus restrictions imposed under the potentially broad terminology of National Security.

Civil Astronautics was born this very day in history. #And we must do all we can to preserve its perpetual benefit for civilians, and civilians only.

EBM

[kc0ebm]

Its also interesting to note, that the first civilian astronaut, 60 year old Mike Melville, felt it necessary to say that he had no reason to feel that he wasn't alone up there in outer space, 62 miles above the Earth's surface this morning.

Outside of admitting that he felt litterally like he had touched the face of God, (intimating that his flight was, for him, a religious experience) Melville confirmed for the press one of the first questions asked when he returned to Earth, &quot;did you see anybody else up there?&quot; #That question relates, and was specifically posed, to satisfy the ever growing populus that is utterly convinced that the Gubmint has concertedly hidden the existence of UFOs and extraterrestrial life. #And unless the gubmint has already imposed restrictions citing National Security, the world may soon know the God's honest truth about the overwhelming evidence pointing toward the actual existence of UFOs and extraterrestrials.

Now, before some of you write me off as a stoned lunatic, let me just tell you that I have been a devout skeptic and I have forever laughed histerically at UFO buffs. #Then, one day it dawned on me, that the Bible speaks specifically and descriptively about angels, seraphim, cherubim, watchers, and other heavenly life forms, which I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that they exist, but I have just never seen one. #Furthermore, Ezekiel described vividly a flying object that sounds for all the world like a UFO (flying saucer). #Now, I am searching the scriptures and studying the Bible and am now at least willing to contemplate the possibliliy that these UFO Geeks may not be lunatics afterall. #

Whether or not UFOs and extraterrestrials as depicted by Hollywood actually exist, their existence or non-existence has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the undeniable fact that people are actually seeing very real an unexplained aerial phenomena. #And ample and extremely credible evidence exists that proves that the US Gubmint has actively concerted to deny, conceal, disinform, misinform, evade, lie, and destroy the lives of any credible witness to such phenomena.

Now, the evidence is overwhelming and undeniable. #And since the first alleged crash of a UFO in the New Mexico desert in 1947, those who have heretofore supported the Gubmint's denials are now nearing their deathbeds and seeking to clear their consciences. #They are speaking out and spilling their guts. #And they aren't the only ones either. #The list of living astronauts that have seen UFOs on NASA space missions is long and getting longer. #Even Neal Armstrong, the first to set foot on the moon, and who has forever scoffed at UFO freaks, was asked the question on live TV. #I saw that incident, and while I can't quote his answer verbatim, it was very clear that he was having difficulty repeating the &quot;no UFO&quot; mantra that he has repeated since he rose to fame. #It is apparent, that either Armstrong is lying, or he really has never seen a UFO. #But one thing is sure, Armstrong is very mindful of the ever growing list of his peers and other extremely credible gubmint witnesses that make no bones about boldly and publically admitting and speaking at length and in great detail about their UFO experiences.

Now, again I clarify that I have never seen a UFO. #And I reiterate that, except for the possibility that what people are seeing is described in the Bible, I remain a skeptic. #But one thing is certain, if the gubmint is forced to keep its deceiptful mitts off civil astronautics, we may all know the truth very soon. #One way or the other, the truth is welcome here.

73

NASA, like the DoD, suffers from a case of 'NOW WHAT?'..

Both accomplished the mission they were tasked with and Both are finding it difficult to adapt and adjust to the NEW paradigms that their field of endevaour present them.

NO longer does NASA have 'THE MISSION' which was 'to get to the Moon and back again!' - which they did, successfully, several times.

When THAT was accomplished, they literally stopped and said 'NOW WHAT DO WE DO?'.. they tried to get into other ventures.. but the national MISSION and VISION wasn't there so it kinda frittered around and wandered a bit aimlessly. That is why the NASA bureaucracy got a bit hidebound, seemed like it was spinning its wheels and wasting money, and not accomplishing much. The Mars project has helped QUITE a bit as has the fact that the Shuttle program has been revamped after two rather nasty disasters.

DoD is the same way. Once 'THE MISSION' of keeping the Russians at bay was done.. they foundred lookingfor a missoin. Not until the focus on terrorism AND the adjustment of the DoD training, teaching, and planning had shifted did it find some solid ground to stand upon.

Burt Rutan has given NASA a big kick in the proverbial pants and sent a LOUD wake-uo call tha tthey BETTER start figuring out how to partner and join with other groups OR RISK losing their edge in the terms of resources, knowledge, and capital plant resources.

CONGRATS to Rutan and Company. COmpetition is a GOOD thing!

As to the Government taking over? Not likely. What WILL (most likely) happen is that the GOvernment will seek to coordindate things with private sector folks so everyone sings from the same book and doesn't go willy nilly off on their own tangents wihtout others knowing what's going on.

The need for coordination is important since there is a finite amount of useable space (pun intended) for placing things like Geo-Sync birds and when you launch stuff into Earth orbit you gotta track it so others don't 'bump into' YOUR space junk with VERY unpleasant results (hitting a nut at 18,000 MPH when it's going TOWARDS you at 18,000 MPH can result it a VERY VERY nasty result)

Look to some central coordinating body to help keep things orderly.

But all in all. Congrats to Rutan. Look for NASA to makesome VERY distinct and needed changes NOW that the paradigms hvae shifted.

K3FT

[w6ez]

The government will shut them (and all other private space probes) as soon as one blows up or they report back about the mother ship that is earth orbit.
The government cannot allow us to know that they are here and living with us.

Klaatu barada nikto!

[w5klb]

Anyone remember Author C. Clarke's &quot;2001- A Space Oddessy&quot; with the space station? (A Science Fiction Classic in my book). I can't wait for the day when we mere Earthlings, as casual space travelers, can take a trip to a space station like that! And if I ever do take a trip like that, I would want to hear &quot;The Blue Danube&quot; on the way there. That, in my opinion, would be waaay too cool.

I am glad that we have taken the first step. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ke4pjw]

While I think the idea of privately funded space flight really good and the flight of Space Ship One a great accomplishment, I am not truly impressed with suborbital flight. Though I wish I was riding shotgun with the pilot today!

Orbital flight, now that's the shiz-nit. 17,500 MPH is a looooong way from today's 2,500MPH

It's a much more complicated thing.

[N5XH]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc0ebm @ June 21 2004,18:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">.... the world may soon know the God's honest truth about the overwhelming evidence pointing toward the actual existence of UFOs and extraterrestrials.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Note to Self: Don't drink the bong water.

[N0ZWG]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ke4pjw @ June 21 2004,22:51)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">While I think the idea of privately funded space flight really good and the flight of Space Ship One a great accomplishment, I am not #truly impressed with suborbital flight. Though I wish I was riding shotgun with the pilot today!

Orbital flight, now that's the shiz-nit. 17,500 MPH is a looooong way from today's #2,500MPH

It's a much more complicated thing.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You gotta learn to crawl before you walk, remember that. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[K6UEY]

I don't know what all the Jubilee is about,Burt Rutan was not able to meet the requirements.If I'm not mistaken there was to be 2 flights to 0G status within a 24 or 48 hour period,not sure which turn around is correct,but the ship was off course by 20 miles and Rutan said he would not fly the second turn around flight until they knew for sure what went wrong,so it seems a lot of hurrah for nothing,all they proved was they still have not met all the qualifications yet.(Not meeting all the qualifications,seems to be a 21st Century theme). It is reassuring though to know that not every one out there is a graduate of the public school system,the country still has a couple of competent Engineers left. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[ke4mej]

This flight was a preliminary, and was not intended to go after the prize offered by the X-Prize foundation. #The requirements for that are 2 flights within a two week period carrying a minimum of three people. #Rutan's craft has the seating for three people, but the pilot was the only one aboard for this test flight...still has some problems to work out, but at this point Rutan's team seems to be the most likely to meet the requirements for the X-Prize.

[K6UEY]

KE4MEJ,
TNX 73, ORV

[W3MIV]

I am somewhat astonished that, through all these posts boosting and bumping Rutan, no one has given the slightest pat on the back to Paul Allen, without whom the project would never have been.

So, Linux Lovers and Macintosh Manics, without Microsoft there would have been no achievement, no celebration, no kudos to anyone.

The very same spirit that animates Bill Gates and his fellow travelers is the spirit that lifted the Spirit.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[N8CPA]

Oh no! That means Gates will be copyrighting manned trajectories! &quot;Are you sure you want to fire retros?&quot; [YES, NO--clicking YES means you agree to the following user agreement. Read in its entirety before selecting YES]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Actually, I'd like to know more about how Melville managed to dead stick back to the launch point. Perhaps, a series of descending and decreasing figure 8s? I know the shuttle uses S turns to slow down for its long approaches. I think with the lower speed of the Rutan ship, it would be possible to fig 8 for the same effect over a much smaller flight path and landing approach.

[KG4YUV]

I think the accomplishment is a great thing and all but no reason to shove it in NASA's face or anything, they probably don't really care all that much.... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[KC7ATO]

I see the QRZ &quot;Nattering Nabobs of Negativism&quot; (thanks Spiro) are at it again. Are you all so blinded by your own egotism that you can't even recognize the achievements of Burt Rutan and his associates? I truely pity the miserable existence some of you display.

OK .. so Allen provided the bux and THANKS, I DO say to him for the support.. but it was RUTAN and CO who did the engineering and built the damn thing. Not to diminish Allen's contribution, of course, for without the funds.. nothing would have gotten built that quickly (if at all) but let us NOT forget WHO engineered, designed, and built the critter - AND of course - who flew with/in it.

There are COUNTLESS items in the United States history books that depended on wealthy folks contributing the bux BUT WHO is it that is remembered? The 'money men' or the people who designed, built, and/or were 'the first' to do it?

For those who 'poo poo' Rutan &amp; Co's 1st flight as just 'being suborbital and not as WHOO HOO as going orbital... I will simply pointyou to the beginning of the U.S. Space program. We launched QUITE a few sub-orbital things and I recall (since I was born in 1954) seeing films (and later as I got a bit older SEEING it on TV and hearing it LIVE on Radio -that the buzz from going suborbital was (then) a BIG BIG DEAL. It still is!

Imagine.. looking down from 62 or so miles up and seeing all that expanse.. WOW.. I'm ready!!.. where do I sign up?!!!

Risk be damned! I'd go in a micropicosecond.

K3FT

Congrats Rutan &amp; Co and may this give NASA a case of the 'reality check willies' and have them WAKE UP!

Think what NASA resources and someone like Rutan could accomplish... WOW!

Didn't we launch two men and a monkey into sub orbital flight in 1963 in primative space craft? Now with 2004 technology a person makes a sub orbital flight and it is big news? Kudos for making the flight just the same, but next they will be making RuTang, the new breakfast drink.

[N8CPA]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (NewHam22 @ June 23 2004,00:57)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Didn't we launch two men and a monkey into sub orbital flight in 1963 in primative space craft? #Now with 2004 technology a person makes a sub orbital flight and it is big news? #Kudos for making the flight just the same, but next they will be making RuTang, the new breakfast drink.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
The first monkey went into space in '59. Several more in '60 Shepard and Grissom (suborbital) launched in '61; Glenn in '62 (3 orbits). In '63 they launched the last of the first seven astronauts, still counting how many orbits they could get per launch.

Compared to what we can do within the atmosphere, our spacecraft is still primitive.

Quote (NewHam22 @ June 23 2004,00:57)
&quot;Didn't we launch two men and a monkey into sub orbital flight in 1963 in primative space craft? Now with 2004 technology a person makes a sub orbital flight and it is big news?&quot;

Why the 'ho-hum?' attitude? It's BIG NEWS because a private firm did it on (what would be considered) a 'paltry shoe-string budget'. They duplicated the effort by using the previously learned lessons and knowledge AND they proved that it CAN be done 'cost-effectively'.

What it does.. for those who aren't willing to 'look BEYOND the obvious' is simply this.

It shows that you CAN get into space and its envrions without being the U.S. Treasury.

It shows that you CAN leverage technology and experience and knwoledge to do ti better, cheaper, and more effeticvely by using the inventive nature of man's curiousity and desire to 'try'.

It shows that it is FEASIBLE AND POSSIBLE to look forward to a more active and ongoing space program with a DIVEFSE set of goals AND an attendent return on investment of new and valuable things since COMPETITION will help spur this activity.

The benefits are going to be myriad and many. I, for one, am looking forward to having it possible for the 'average' person to take a suborbital ride (and more) in the next 10 years and have it NOT be so 'wowzy wowzy limited to jsut a select few'.

It will be excellent!

ONWARD!

K3FT

[N8CPA]

You bet Rutan's success is a very big deal--as big as the first private enterprise European explorations of the New World. History will see the launch as the starting gun of a new space race, with as yet unknown ramifications for our future. Even the fuel was a non traditional cocktail that sounds like the formual for rubber cement. I wouldn't be surprised to even see new fuels for terrestrial transportation come out if it.

Since the days of the hot canard, Rutan has been like a latter day Wright Brother. Have you ever seen AES's Starship? That is a Rutan design, as was the plane that Denver pancaked himself in. [I think Denver was trying to duplicate the stall recovery characteristic of the smaller EZE design and misestimated how far he'd have to fall before recovering, fuel issues aside.]

This is a huge deal for aerospace. Even NASA is impressed.

It sounds to me like most people are more excited about this than I am. That is ok with me. Is not velocity for orbital insertion over 17,000 MPH? What was the speed of the ruTang aircraft? I visited their web page and it sounds like their goal will always be suborbital flight.

My idea is that when they orbit the earth and return, then I will agree with everybody that it is really something.

[K6UEY]

I was under the impression that this whole exercise was to show it is practical to take wealthy tourists up to a 100 or so mile orbit so they can look out a port hole at the earth and return all in a week end outing . I have my doubts that any scientific break throughs will be shared with the general public as would be the case with NASA.Any thing they come up with will be commerecialized for profit and the public be damned!! Burt Rutan has an excellent reputation, but there is other financial backers who care less about forwarding the Art of science they are there for the financial gain.

[kc0ebm]

NewHam22,

I don't at all intend to change the subject here, but, don't I know you from somewhere?

Seems I remember a post that you made on the Popcorn Net web page about 3 years ago. Very critical as I recall, and very appropriate as well. I tried to find you and see if there was a way that I could ease your mind about a few things. But you just disappeared.

As I recall, things were a bit out of control on the Popcorn Net (PCN) at the time, and you were reacting to some of the nonsense. It may please you to know that, while it took me over 3 years to get the job done, I have finally put the nonsense to bed once and for all.

If you are still interested in joining a decent ragchew group on late night 75 meters, check out the new PCN on 3.990. They are dedicated to lawful and decent conduct on the radio, and I'm sure that if you still value such high minded things, you would be more than welcome to join anytime. Check it out.

73

Tom Friess KCØEBM

If their goal is to launch (PUN INTENDED) a business of providing folks who can pay for it a short sub-orbital trip into the near-space region, so be it!

GOOD FOR THEM! Free enterprise and capitalism at its very best! Just think of the spin off jobs we'll have!

People have to supply replacement consumables. Resupply spare parts. Maintenence of vehicles, buildings, hardware, elecgtronics, clean up, grounds care, security, telecommunications, etc..etc.

Not to mention the media interest in space - once again! The fact that if you have a microsatellite and a kick motor of some size means that if they get you up to suborbital the costs to get your payload into some kind of low earth orbit might be a bit less. Who knows?? once the door is opened and people start finding out what they can do, who knows?

Whatever it is or whatever it becomes.. it will spawn an entirely NEW and unexpected set of venues and opportunities for us to explore.

GO FOR IT!

[K8ERV]

Think I will stay on the ground. The food is better here---

TOM K8ERV

[N8CPA]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K8ERV @ June 24 2004,07:58)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Think I will stay on the ground. The food is better here---

TOM K8ERV[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Whatsamatta, Tom? Don't like freeze-dried neopolitan, or instant potatoes rehydrated with distilled urine? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[K6UEY]

I wonder how long before Mac Donalds,Burgerking, and Taco Bell will have space take out up there ?? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[K4JSR]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K6UEY @ June 24 2004,05:13)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I wonder how long before Mac Donalds,Burgerking, and Taco Bell will have space take out up there ?? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
They are providing the &quot;gas&quot; for the mission now!
73 Cal K4JSR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

kc0ebm,

No I don't think we have met. My name here stands for that I am a new ham (technician) and 22 years old. Is someone else using this name? I can change it.

Man I wish I could talk on SSB on 75 meters. I am still studying the CW code. Maybee one day I can.

[kc0ebm]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (NewHam22 @ June 25 2004,05:30)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">kc0ebm,

No I don't think we have met. #My name here stands for #that I am a new ham (technician) and 22 years old. #Is someone else using this name? #I can change it.

Man I wish I could talk on SSB on 75 meters. #I am still studying the CW code. #Maybee one day I can.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
NewHam22,

After doing a little reflection, I have discovered that I made some error in the events leading up to my relationship to you, or somebody having you name.

Now, as I recall it better, NewHam22 made a plea on another ham site; I think it was QTH.com. Anyway, poor NewHam22 had recently upgraded to general and nobody would talk to him because of has /AG status. But what was worse, he was sickened by the behavior of many who occupied nighttime 75 meters at the time. Anyway, his plea was a last minute last ditch effort to find a DECENT bunch of guys to talk to on late night 75 meters. He further stated that if nobody responded to his plea within a week, he was going to sell his gear and get out of ham radio.

Anyway, I responded to NewHam22 and invited him to join me on the PCN. Evidently, he heard some of the crap on the PCN and just disappeared. I felt so ashamed, because we tried desperately to run a clean ship. But, like many groups on late night 75 meters, there are those who won't abide ANY rules. We had our share of problems, but before I could put a stop to it, NewHam22 must have gotten a snoot full of us too. What a damn shame.

And since you were using NewHam22, I thought I had at long last found the guy I was looking for. Not that I don't want to meet you and befriend you, but, I wish YOU were HE so I would have a chance to say what I wanted to say to him at the time. Anyway, I guess NewHam22 is long gone. That was over 3 years ago.

Anyway, nice to meet you. Maybe when you upgrade we can have a rag chew.

73

Tom KCØEBM

kc0ebm

Thank you for the invitation. I am not comfortable using this name if it has a history but I will try for a little while to see. If it is ok with you? I ask you because you know the person who had the name. ok?

[kc0ebm]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (NewHam22 @ June 26 2004,22:48)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">kc0ebm

Thank you for the invitation. #I am not comfortable using this name if it has a history but I will try for a little while to see. If it is ok with you? I ask you because you know the person who had the name. ok?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Hey, use any name you want. #The name you've chosen may have some history, but I'm not aware of anything bad. #And given the fact that he couldn't find anybody nice to talk to on 75 meters, I'd say its fairly likely that he was probably someone I wouldn't mind being associated with.

Anyway, welcome to ham radio. #Set a good example for others to emulate and you will be rewarded. #And when you upgrade to Gen, give me a call and we'll chew the rag awhile.

73

Tom Friess KCØEBM

[K9TOD]

I read the cost to build the craft and the cost of the mission were $20mil.

But if Nasa were to do it, I bet it would cost $20 Bil, not mil.

I am excited to see what the private sector will do next. I have a funny feeling this is going to lead to advancements in international travel more than interplanetary travel.

[KG4WRA]

Governments control the skies right now, if this keeps up, they're gonna start claiming certain portions of space as well.

[kc0ebm]

So far, Burt Rutan envisions private citizen tourist excursions into space in relatively low space suborbital ballistic shots. #Currently, after thorough testing, Rutan's private space endeavors will offer these suborbital trips into space at an astonishingly low cost of $100,000 per seat. #I expect that cost to be initially higher, but eventually be much lower.

But for me, what is exciting is the pressure this will put on NASA to get its act together. #It is thoroughly bogged down in Gubmint bureacracy, and tied up with secret Gubmint and alphabet soup projects that totally eliminate pubic access, not only to space, but any KNOWLEDGE whatsoever of what they are up to. #And what bakes my cake more than anything is that NASA won't release photos and data that WE PAID TO SEE!!! #Tax dollars float NASA's boat, so why do we have to row again just to see OUR FRIGGIN PICTURES???

The Space Telescopes are OURS, and their products are OURS, not NASA's, not GUBMINT'S, not ALPHABET SOUP's, but OURS. #The broad brush of national security is being abused, and that abuse cuts the taxpayers out of gleaning any benefit from OUR INVESTMENTS IN NASA.

I am more than just a little excited about the private sector getting access to space. #And I don't want to see the GUBMINT laying down limitations and restrictions that essentially turn another private concern into another GUBMINT resource. #And if we can keep the GUBMINT under OUR control, then maybe WE can benefit from OUR investments for a change.

This is very exciting news folks. #And if the space tourism business is allowed to flourish, maybe a PRIVATE SPACE TELESCOPE is in the offing. #

I for one believe that NASA has some 'splainin' to do. #And if it is not forthcoming, then its budget should be cut to starvation levels until it comes clean with the American People that finance it. #Accountability is NIL. #NASA has become just one more BLACK PROJECT. #Another bottomless pit for our tax dollars that not one dime is accounted for. #

They've pushed us back away from the launch site, and blinded or eyes to what they are doing, and now they charge us again for what we've already paid for. #If more people realized just how unaccountable NASA is, the starvation budget cuts would begin in earnest immediately. #

It is inexcusable how NASA treats us, and it is even more inexcusable why Congress permits it. #Its time for the buck to find its owner in Biblical proportion; not only at NASA, but in Congress too.

IMHO

Tom

[kc0ebm]

UEY,

Thanks for pointing that out. #My poor choice of words just now seems very insensitive. #I do apologize, and I will edit my last post immediately in compliance with understandab sensibilities.

Thanks for the constructive criticism, UEY. And my sincerest apologies to anyone else who was understandably offended by my untimely use of that metaphore.

Please forgive.

Tom

[kc0ebm]

Here's what you've all been waiting for!!!

49 pics....count them.....49 of the cooolest pics available in an automatic slide show, and much much more. Just click on this link and sit back and watch them scroll by. Look as many times as you like.

Why?

Because its FREE!!! Thanks to the generosity of Burt Rutan and Scaled Composites.

ENJOY X 1.0 X 10^ inth

http://www.rokits.org/gallery/slideshow.php?set_albumName=x-prize

KCØEBM http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif