by John Doe 24 Replies latest jw friends
I think the only way for the US to do it would be to count on the chinese to fund it at this point .
Did they ever find out what was in Bush`s head?................................. I don't think there's much of a mystery there , obviously a bunch of dead brain cells.
Sure.
Private industry can do this so much better than the government can, although obviously there is a national defense angle.
Remove the regulatory barriers. There are several private corps that are reducing costs, which is the main barrier to ubiquitous space travel.
Ad Astra.
BTS
Private industry can do this so much better than the government can, although obviously there is a national defense angle.
I agree in principle, but what is the incentive for private industry to invest in space exploration?
Why has initial space exploration always been government supported and funded. If there is so many dollars in it, why has industry lagged behind?
Why has initial space exploration always been government supported and funded.
Government has a finger in every pie JD.
There are considerable barriers to entry. Governments act out of a desire for power, out of militarism, so economic calculations necessarlily fall behind and are less important than a purely commercial enterprise. The government doesn't have to worry about making money as much, the have a captive customer base (taxation.) Besides, we have the likes of Space-X and Scaled Composites these days.
BTS
so economic calculations necessarlily fall behind and are less important than a purely commercial enterprise. The government doesn't have to worry about making money as much, the have a captive customer base (taxation.)
Precisely my point.
I don't know if I buy the idea of turning over space exploration to the private industry.
What financial incentive is there for private industry to spend hundreds of millions (or whatever it is) to send a robotic probe to Mars to study the surface, as one example? I don't see it. I think this is one area where the government footing the bill makes sense.
I'm not completely against the idea of commercializing space to some degree. I have to admit I wouldn't mind paying to go into orbit on one of those Richard Branson planes.
I'm not completely against the idea of commercializing space to some degree.
Space is already highly commercialized. Where do you think the funding comes for the majority of the satellite constellation?
BTS
Space is already highly commercialized. Where do you think the funding comes for the majority of the satellite constellation?
Yes, but government funding is often the catlyst for new markets, no? If the government had never supported or funded space exploration, do you really think there would be satellites in orbit now? Once the initial research and development is complete, and the most expensive part mind you, then there is a market for private enterprise to come in.
