Mr. Rutan and his banker have a spaceship. According to news reports, if they'd accepted NASA help, they never would have met the budget. Shades of D. D. Harriman?
I just recall an interview, either PBS or commercial, with either Rutan or Allen. The one or the other said that getting any NASA money would have blown the budget. Noon news today had Rutan talking about the fact that the pilot was actually _flying_ the plane, none of that computer stuff, and accepting risks. I don't know if the budget thing related to redundant systems, one of the things he mentioned, or bureaucratic grant processes, or what.
We were listening to NPR on the way home this afternoon. They had a NASA historian going on about how today's flight is just a stunt. And how they spent $20 million to win a $10 million prize. To say the man missed the point is an understatement.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2004-06-21 11:30 am (UTC)I'm not sure I understand. Could you explain, or point me to one of the news stories you saw?
no subject
Date: 2004-06-21 12:16 pm (UTC)I just recall an interview, either PBS or commercial, with either Rutan or Allen. The one or the other said that getting any NASA money would have blown the budget. Noon news today had Rutan talking about the fact that the pilot was actually _flying_ the plane, none of that computer stuff, and accepting risks. I don't know if the budget thing related to redundant systems, one of the things he mentioned, or bureaucratic grant processes, or what.
So much for throw-away one-liners.:-)
no subject
Date: 2004-06-21 06:29 pm (UTC)