ISS leaking air

> From: smile_soccer [mailto:smile_soccer@...]

> The way I look at it, the ISS is already up there, so why not use it
> as much as possible?

That's the general idea, except for a few problems:
1) There's a slight transport problem at present
2) It's half built
3) NASA's dumb minimum weight obsession means things are over design, over tested and under reliable once they get in orbit.

Thing is it's been known for a very long time that the easiest way to survive in space is to tether two pods together with 100m long steel cable and spin them. There's no secret trick to it and the construction presents no real problems, and the 'gravity' would actually simplify many engineering problems, like life-support.

Of course it would make micro gravity experiments difficult, but then again, *astronauts* and life support do that. Strange how NASA insists the two go together isn't?

> I mean we have India, NASA, China, the European space
> agency, (maybe more I don't know), and I am sure there could be a more
> efficient way of doing things. Kind of like a United Nations or
> something for space programs.

You mean like a UN army or UN navy? Or even a UN space navy? ;) For that matter why not have a UN strategic nuclear force?

> i just think we have to get away from thinking national, when it comes
> to space, and that includes the way decisions are made.

The US does what it wants because it is rich.
Russia does what it wants because the world ignores it.
China does what it wants because no-one thinks they will ever succeed.
ESA does what it can afford and hopes it doesn't go wrong.
India is too busy playing nuclear chicken with Pakistan to do much of anything.
The Japanese effort is (IIRC) on permanent hold pending economic recovery.
The rest of us chase the X prize and make believe that a three seater X-15 is one day going to be capable of getting into orbit.

The 7 groups have little in common, and none have any interest in giving control of funding over to anyone other than themselves. :(

ANTIcarrot.