Could the Apollo program be done today?

[Pazuzu]

So, you can't tell me what actual science is being done up there right now? Apparently it's based around new forms of Japanese beef...

Fine, you're right, you have the inside track on how NASA works, well acquainted in their efficient, cost effective, always successful ways. I'd be surprised if they don't already have people on the Moon, and they're just waiting for the right time to announce it.

[Aerkuld]

I enjoyed reading all of the comments on here, but I think the original point of my post may have been misunderstood by some.

I have mentioned this same topic to several people over the past few days. When I did, I didn't put the emphasis on whether we currently have the man power or technical ability to either recreate the Saturn V or come up with something similar. Instead I asked if the program would ever get anywhere with all the political maneuvering, environmental restrictions, and health and safety regulations we seem to have acquired.

Unfortunately most people seem to share the view that the 'can-do' attitude that was prevalent at the end of the sixties does seem to have become a 'no-can-do' attitude and there are people who revel in their ability to stop people from doing things.

I find this very disappointing.

[cairns]

Aerkuld I think you summed it up perfectly. Paz you lose. Thread over.

[jluetjen]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

I meant, right now, on the ISS. However, we could expand it to "what science has NASA done, itself, in the past, oh, 30 years?" Very little, most of it is independent labs (like your contacts), universities, and DoE projects. NASA suits think up some idea, then immediately pawn it off on whatever group is willing to sink too much money and time into it. NASA is just the check writer and bus driver for that independent research. All of the actual cool things that happen in space are the results of other people...the farther away you are from NASA while working on a project, the more likely it'll be cool and useful and succeed.

I think that your glasses are slightly rose colored. The Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions -- who built and launched the rockets?

Nasa?

Nope.

Look at the overalls...


ILC Industries


Grumman

And then there was Rockwell, Boeing, Honeywell, the list goes on.



To be honest, NASA has always been a contract management organization.