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Newt Gingrich: SpaceX’s Falcon rocket is a tremendous step toward reasserting American leadership in space
Topic Started: Feb 9 2018, 11:20 AM (123 Views)
Demagogue
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http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/02/09/newt-gingrich-spacex-s-falcon-rocket-is-tremendous-step-toward-reasserting-american-leadership-in-space.html

The successful launch of SpaceX’s Falcon powerful new rocket Tuesday at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida was a tremendous step toward reasserting American leadership in space.

The Falcon Heavy is the most powerful rocket launched in the U.S. since the Apollo missions – and the most powerful commercial rocket ever made. It can carry nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 pounds) into orbit. This is more than double the payload of the next-biggest rocket currently in operation.

For perspective, SpaceX says this is, “a mass greater than a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage, and fuel.”

SpaceX owner Elon Musk also said the rocket system could launch payloads “direct to Pluto and beyond” without the help of a gravity assist.

This successful test flight should serve as a serious motivator for the National Space Council to jumpstart the nation’s focus on manned space flight
People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would do them harm.
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Demagogue
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A good OpEd by Newt. One of the more relevant points:

Quote:
 
One of the keys to SpaceX’s success has been its ability to fail – and move on


This is something I have said for years.

I agree with the following point also.

Quote:
 
Young Americans everywhere can go to YouTube and watch more than four hours of video recorded of “Starman” as he drifted through space looking down at our planet.

The extraordinary video from this car orbiting Earth makes clear to every young person in America that having a career in the space industry – even actually going to space – is as real, tangible, and achievable as becoming a dentist, a lawyer, a civil engineer, or any other job that requires focus and hard work.

In this way, this so-called stunt could help inspire young Americans across the country to pursue math, engineering, aeronautics, and astronomy the same way the Apollo program inspired a generation of Americans in the 1960s.


In the OpEd that I wrote way back in 2010 about SpaceX I called them (and the other private sector space folks) the new space cowboys. Over the decades since Apollo NASA has become just another government bureaucracy and Shuttle and rocket launches can become routine and lose public interest. Musk has found a way to get people other than old space nerds like me interested again and he and the other cowboys deserve credit.
People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would do them harm.
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Dr. B
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Agreed. It is easy to see the price tag and think of it as a waste. But we are a nation built by pioneers. The space program has been key to America’s rise to the top, because it pushes the boundaries of new exploration and invention. Like in life, if you aren’t pushing yourself to new heights you are only falling down. We need new invention, new technology, and new discovery, and these brave men and women are doing it.
#BringWilmyBack
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jake58

NASA - delete
That which can be asserted without evidence; can be dismissed without evidence- Christopher Hitchens
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clone
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Demagogue
Feb 9 2018, 11:27 AM
A good OpEd by Newt. One of the more relevant points:

Quote:
 
One of the keys to SpaceX’s success has been its ability to fail – and move on


This is something I have said for years.

I agree with the following point also.

Quote:
 
Young Americans everywhere can go to YouTube and watch more than four hours of video recorded of “Starman” as he drifted through space looking down at our planet.

The extraordinary video from this car orbiting Earth makes clear to every young person in America that having a career in the space industry – even actually going to space – is as real, tangible, and achievable as becoming a dentist, a lawyer, a civil engineer, or any other job that requires focus and hard work.

In this way, this so-called stunt could help inspire young Americans across the country to pursue math, engineering, aeronautics, and astronomy the same way the Apollo program inspired a generation of Americans in the 1960s.


In the OpEd that I wrote way back in 2010 about SpaceX I called them (and the other private sector space folks) the new space cowboys. Over the decades since Apollo NASA has become just another government bureaucracy and Shuttle and rocket launches can become routine and lose public interest. Musk has found a way to get people other than old space nerds like me interested again and he and the other cowboys deserve credit.
One of kids asked me...dad...you got SpaceX buddies....how bout a tour....

first time he's shown an interest....

:cheers:



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Drudge X
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I doubt this news will be long lasting unless we go to Mars. Americans have lost interest in just about everything except their phones and tablets. We need to send drones to Mars. Rovers paved the way. It's time to take it up one notch.
Kate Steinle was separated from her family permanently but leftists didn't seem to mind.
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BuckFan

Typical Rightie garbage. America never had lost its space advantage once it eclipsed the USSR. We have continued to do things first, farthest, longest.

SpaceX has gotten more than $5.5 Billion in government contracts. It still takes federal dollars to push these high-risk projects.

I would also point out to our anti-immigrant posters here that Elon Musk is an immigrant from ...gasp ... Africa

I will give a shout out to billionaires like Musk, Gates, Bezos, et al who are putting their billions to work in advancing philantropy, technology and education.
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Drudge X
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BuckFan
Feb 9 2018, 06:30 PM
Typical Rightie garbage. America never had lost its space advantage once it eclipsed the USSR. We have continued to do things first, farthest, longest.

SpaceX has gotten more than $5.5 Billion in government contracts. It still takes federal dollars to push these high-risk projects.

I would also point out to our anti-immigrant posters here that Elon Musk is an immigrant from ...gasp ... Africa

I will give a shout out to billionaires like Musk, Gates, Bezos, et al who are putting their billions to work in advancing philantropy, technology and education.
What are you smoking on Friday Buckaroo? Who said anything losing the edge to Russia? The same enthusiasm from watching a rocket leaving earth just isn't the as the first shuttle launch or when Sputnik was in space. You also have a problem distinguish between legal and illegal immigration.
Kate Steinle was separated from her family permanently but leftists didn't seem to mind.
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Coast2coast

Drudge X
Feb 9 2018, 08:35 PM
BuckFan
Feb 9 2018, 06:30 PM
Typical Rightie garbage. America never had lost its space advantage once it eclipsed the USSR. We have continued to do things first, farthest, longest.

SpaceX has gotten more than $5.5 Billion in government contracts. It still takes federal dollars to push these high-risk projects.

I would also point out to our anti-immigrant posters here that Elon Musk is an immigrant from ...gasp ... Africa

I will give a shout out to billionaires like Musk, Gates, Bezos, et al who are putting their billions to work in advancing philantropy, technology and education.
What are you smoking on Friday Buckaroo? Who said anything losing the edge to Russia? The same enthusiasm from watching a rocket leaving earth just isn't the as the first shuttle launch or when Sputnik was in space. You also have a problem distinguish between legal and illegal immigration.
A natural progression.

When Charles Lindbergh landed at the Le Bourget air field there were nearly a hundred thousand people that had waited for hours to greet him.
Posted Image


How many are running to the airport today to watch an International Flight land?
Posted Image

The more normal it gets the less spectacular it becomes.

Isn't that the goal? :)


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Demagogue
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Wow, I am truly saddened that some folks can't read a an oped without attacking it due to who the author is. Nothing Newt said in that article was political. It was a fair and frank assessment written to give praise that is absolutely due.

I will address some of your issues.

Yes, SpaceX has received government contracts but let's be fair here, the 5.5 billion number mentioned was for deliveries to the space station and the development of the dragon capsule.

For reference, NASA spent over $10 billion on the Constellation program and it never delivered anything, anywhere. SpaceX delivered 12 cargo hauls to the space station for $1.2 billion.

NASA has spent a couple billion on the SLS so far and it has yet to deliver any heavy lift rocket's. Nasa spent zero on the Falcon Heavy but, it is now available.

As for the question of our leadership in space, can you really be a leader in space when you have to beg for rides to space from another nation in order to put men there? So, at the very least, we lost our place as a leader in space in the are of manned missions.

The comment about Musk being an immigrant is somehow supposed to be a shot at conservatives? Musk is a LEGAL immigrant. Conservatives support legal immigration especially merit based immigration. Musk is the poster boy for legal merit based immigration.

Seriously folks, this is a feel good story and Newts oped was not political. I guess when you are a hammer everything looks like a nail so I should not expect any different.
People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would do them harm.
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clone
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Demagogue
Feb 10 2018, 11:08 PM
Wow, I am truly saddened that some folks can't read a an oped without attacking it due to who the author is. Nothing Newt said in that article was political. It was a fair and frank assessment written to give praise that is absolutely due.

I will address some of your issues.

Yes, SpaceX has received government contracts but let's be fair here, the 5.5 billion number mentioned was for deliveries to the space station and the development of the dragon capsule.

For reference, NASA spent over $10 billion on the Constellation program and it never delivered anything, anywhere. SpaceX delivered 12 cargo hauls to the space station for $1.2 billion.

NASA has spent a couple billion on the SLS so far and it has yet to deliver any heavy lift rocket's. Nasa spent zero on the Falcon Heavy but, it is now available.

As for the question of our leadership in space, can you really be a leader in space when you have to beg for rides to space from another nation in order to put men there? So, at the very least, we lost our place as a leader in space in the are of manned missions.

The comment about Musk being an immigrant is somehow supposed to be a shot at conservatives? Musk is a LEGAL immigrant. Conservatives support legal immigration especially merit based immigration. Musk is the poster boy for legal merit based immigration.

Seriously folks, this is a feel good story and Newts oped was not political. I guess when you are a hammer everything looks like a nail so I should not expect any different.
Demo...they are just libs showing how much smarter they are...just like their expert election punditry...

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Only liberals can choose not to go down the road to widespread, systematic violence.
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jake58

Coast2coast
Feb 9 2018, 09:19 PM
Drudge X
Feb 9 2018, 08:35 PM
BuckFan
Feb 9 2018, 06:30 PM
Typical Rightie garbage. America never had lost its space advantage once it eclipsed the USSR. We have continued to do things first, farthest, longest.

SpaceX has gotten more than $5.5 Billion in government contracts. It still takes federal dollars to push these high-risk projects.

I would also point out to our anti-immigrant posters here that Elon Musk is an immigrant from ...gasp ... Africa

I will give a shout out to billionaires like Musk, Gates, Bezos, et al who are putting their billions to work in advancing philantropy, technology and education.
What are you smoking on Friday Buckaroo? Who said anything losing the edge to Russia? The same enthusiasm from watching a rocket leaving earth just isn't the as the first shuttle launch or when Sputnik was in space. You also have a problem distinguish between legal and illegal immigration.
A natural progression.

When Charles Lindbergh landed at the Le Bourget air field there were nearly a hundred thousand people that had waited for hours to greet him.
Posted Image


How many are running to the airport today to watch an International Flight land?
Posted Image

The more normal it gets the less spectacular it becomes.

Isn't that the goal? :)


A little difference, they couldn't watch Lindbergh land on tv... whereas we have been watching SpaceX's ventures via our computer screens.

Highlighting the successes of SpaceX vs those of NASA, which D has already done, simply proves the top heavy bureaucracy model of the govt has been found wanting. Time to move on.
That which can be asserted without evidence; can be dismissed without evidence- Christopher Hitchens
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