http://www.rimworlds.com/thecrotchetyoldfan/2009/07/son-of-son-of/ Science Fiction For Old Farts Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:27:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.rimworlds.com/thecrotchetyoldfan/2009/07/son-of-son-of/comment-page-1/#comment-10105 The Crotchety Old Fan Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:36:20 +0000 http://www.rimworlds.com/thecrotchetyoldfan/?p=4655#comment-10105 follow-on: the solution the the catch-22 is either: new technological development or, someone with deep pockets willing to invest in long-term return follow-on: the solution the the catch-22 is either: new technological development or, someone with deep pockets willing to invest in long-term return

]]> http://www.rimworlds.com/thecrotchetyoldfan/2009/07/son-of-son-of/comment-page-1/#comment-10104 The Crotchety Old Fan Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:35:22 +0000 http://www.rimworlds.com/thecrotchetyoldfan/?p=4655#comment-10104 so far as the cost per pound issue, we're in the classic catch 22 stage: if there were more capacity/flights/competitors, the price will be driven down, but we won't get competitors until the cost is driven down... Malzberg, I think, was more upset about "SFs" failure to look beyond the obvious (we'll be all over the solar system, goin to the stars baby!) than he was about the demise of the program. so far as the cost per pound issue, we’re in the classic catch 22 stage: if there were more capacity/flights/competitors, the price will be driven down, but we won’t get competitors until the cost is driven down…
Malzberg, I think, was more upset about “SFs” failure to look beyond the obvious (we’ll be all over the solar system, goin to the stars baby!) than he was about the demise of the program.

]]> http://www.rimworlds.com/thecrotchetyoldfan/2009/07/son-of-son-of/comment-page-1/#comment-10103 Jim Adam Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:29:27 +0000 http://www.rimworlds.com/thecrotchetyoldfan/?p=4655#comment-10103 Seems strange that Malzberg would be worked up over the death of the space race. It's kind of like being upset about the breakup of The Beatles or something. Yes, it's disappointing, but it's also old news. My hope continues to rest on private industry. So long as the government controls the purse strings, it's going to be a slow, inefficient process. Some combination of a company like Virgin Galactic (if they're still solvent) and a single-stage-to-orbit capacity that reduces cost per pound from $10K to $1K or less: those are the things that will make a difference. Seems strange that Malzberg would be worked up over the death of the space race. It’s kind of like being upset about the breakup of The Beatles or something. Yes, it’s disappointing, but it’s also old news. My hope continues to rest on private industry. So long as the government controls the purse strings, it’s going to be a slow, inefficient process. Some combination of a company like Virgin Galactic (if they’re still solvent) and a single-stage-to-orbit capacity that reduces cost per pound from $10K to $1K or less: those are the things that will make a difference.

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