Christopher McKay (planetary scientist)
<p>Nov 28, 2012 08:54 AM
 
conversation with Chris at Seti yesterday;
 
Orion rocket:  only financed cuz of congress: jobs in Alabama and Florida.
Duplicates capabilities of SpaceX.  Congress will prob. throw away several billion dollars
on Orion then kill it.  (That's an intrinsic problem with our political system... not a command 
economy).  but get the innovation.
 
I tell him my position (pro-robot) on robot vs human exploration.
 
He says: depends on overall objective.
If doing just science, then I am right... robots are best.
If want intelligence or consc or whatever going into space then that's difft (either human or robot:
depending on your view).  He does not have a stand on this that he disclosed.
 
Money:  MSL was 2 years late and 500% over budget.
James Webb is way over budget and late.
and Webb is too big to fail.
 
Manned explorations to asteroids/ Mars etc. are too big to start.
 
Dec 3 announcement:  NOTHING will be announced... no signs of organics!
Grotzinger gave false lead to press.
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