Scientist criticizes NASA's plans for manned space flight

[Urwumpe]

Most people, the huge majority out there, does not even care anyway.

Yes, but these people also don't matter - luckily. The science done on the ISS is not really that little, despite being behind schedule, but what is really lacking is PR.

Is measuring eye-ball pressure important? When it was first done, it was just for studying astronaut medicine and as basic science. Today, the data of the experiment is quoted in medical papers, for example about glaucomas, and people already shout for repeating the experiment with new technology, to get more data to work with.

Basic research is NEVER unimportant in the long run, the question is just how much you invest into it and how you can ensure quality. Spaceflight in general and manned spaceflight in special do some of the best basic research work world wide in terms of quality.

And if you say to a group of scientists "We have three astronauts on the way to the moon in 4 years, but they will not be very busy during the coast phase", you can be sure that scientists will flood you with suggestions how to use the time for science.

 

[Keatah]

Materials sciences, energy density, and continuation/preservation of past knowledge are the three most restrictive aspects of human spaceflight..