(Community Matters) Richard Garriott notes that the Association of Space Explorers declined to support statements against the administration’s new space policy; nevertheless, the small group which circulated the statement issued it on their own (absolutely their right). As a successful entrepreneur and someone seriously following space exploration all his life (his father was an astronaut and he has recently flown in orbit, conducting science experiments), Richard appears to support changes in our space plan – good enough for me (not to mention the best & brightest employed bythe President who recommended this plan)
His statement:
Interpreting Comments on Contentious Issues: When a contentious issue comes up, those with negative comments are more often moved to speak out than those with supportive comments to the nominal plan. The new plan for space, has numerous supporters and of course detractors.
Interestingly, while there have been many visible nay sayers, for example Neil Armstrong the first man to step foot on the moon, there are likewise supporters including Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon.
I am a member of the Association of Space Explorers. Members must have made one or more orbits of the earth. The open letter than many astronauts recently published against the current plan, was first circulated among the ASE members, but so many of us disagreed with the statement, that that subset of people who did have that opinion, went out on their own and made those remarks NOT as the ASE.
I am also reminded to note that NASA astronauts are hired because they are great test pilots or scientist. In my close dealings with them throughout my life, it should be noted that that does NOT necessarily make them great business people, great philosophers, great communicators, or great at any other function. While many early astronauts should be lauded for their bravery and opening the frontier for humanity, they are not experts on what is best for our country. So I believe their voices while interesting, are not as important as the tax payers, whose money they use to ride into space.
Community Matters 