On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 11:29:16PM -0500, Rocky Jones wrote:
Mark
the two points you raise are interesting
Education...you wrote in part "
"Yes, my new car failed to work so I had the local high school auto class work on it. It was quite an educational experience for them! They learned a lot! I never did get to use it, but it sure was educational!"
That is not what I would call a success. It is indeed true that when something goes wrong in space, we have to grin and bear it, turning lemons into lemonade. etc. But to redefine what a success is, simply to put a positive spin on a failure, is counterproductive. It seems to me that the problems are acknowledged and are worked upon, makes more sense.
I do not see the arguments for "It was a success because of its educational value" or "We are incompetent because it was a failure" to be of much long term use either.
I do see admitting mistakes were made and fixing them, everyone else out of the way, to be much more productive.
Yes, we could kick a very
basic linear transponder out of the ISS, and it would float around in LEO and allow you to make some contacts, but so what? What purpose would be served?
A great deal. It would allow communications and experimentation and self teaching in ham radio which is the essence of the hobby.
I would agree. Why not be able to do both?
...
Robert WB5MZO
- 73 Diane VA3DB -- - db@db.net http://www.db.net/~db