Hypothetica

>>>>I would try really hard to think of ways of creating public
involvement. Remote robotic operators could be chosen from people who
bought the simulator, had passing scores, and bought a time slot.>>>>

We would bring engineering, chemical engineering, physics,
software engineering and mathematics students into the program, where-ever
we could. Students with fresh and inventive young minds could work on the
program as part of a post-grad work placement. This would bring a great
many young and vigorous people into the program. You wouldn't have to pay
them nearly as much, either. Many students would give their right arm to be
involved in a program like this. People would certainly compete for a
placement within a growing space program. The program would be able to
enroll the best and the brightest young minds within the nation, for a
relatively low price. With launch prices as low as $500/Kg to LEO ( with
cheap, expendable, mass produced boosters) a few of the very best students
could take their placement within the HEO manufacturing facilities. That
would be one hell of a work experience statement! Such a situation, would
enormously improve the state of education for most people. If you were
told, as a young, 18 year-old science or engineering student, that if you
worked hard and got a 1st, you would have the opportunity to take you work
placement in a huge manufacturing shipyard in High Earth Orbit, or a mining
complex at a NEA, would it have motivated you? I cannot imagine that any
young person, in their right mind, would choose to slack at school, with an
opportunity like that waiting for them.

Tony