The prize idea would indeed work if it was implemented. However, this is easier said than done. The government will never take this approach since its objective is to create jobs and programs, not accomplish missions. A prize program would employ about fifty people, tops. So it's never going to happen in the billions necessary to create the incentive to generate major space endeavors like Moon landings and the like, since I don't see any private organization willing to cough up that kind of money, even in return for a piece of the action.
Prizes may work for minor feats, like the X-Prize.
I see the future as a bootstrapping of suborbital tourism, moving into the orbital arena. As flights become cheaper, a lot of other applications are going to suddenly become practical. And yes, it is entirely possible this will all happen in the private sector.
And for the record, while spaceflight is no piece of cake to accomplish, it is a damn sight easier than NASA makes it, especially now.
It is somewhat sickening to see, decades after Gemini and Apollo, space capsules being touted as the advanced future of space transportation. After we drop a few tens of billions to invent them, of course. Again.
Space/Science » in reply to I Was Hoping For A Serious Reply
Prizes
The whole thread (40 posts)
- Perhaps Beagle 2 constructor Astrium WANTED it to fail, in order to get better funding?
- re: You don't understand contracting Rich. What is of more benefit success or failure when selling your services?
- Failure is an orphan, success is owned by all.
- Maybe You Just Get What You Paid For
- Indeed
- With COMPETITIVE prizes, if entrepreneurs fail, taxpayers pay NADA.
- How can we know UNLESS competitive prizes are finally offered with all those tax dollars?
- As usual, Mark is spot on. (n/t)
- Indeed
- Just plain silly
- You are such a goof (n/t)
- re: Perhaps Beagle 2 constructor Astrium WANTED it to fail, in order to get better funding?