NASA Engineers Work On Alternative Moon Rocket 340
Gibson writes "A team of 57 engineers at NASA's Marshall Spaceflight center feel that the Ares rocket is not the best solution for launching the new CEV. They are currently working on their own time developing an alternative launch system known as Jupiter. The 131 page proposal, along with other information, is available on the project website. Proponents of the project say that it is 'simpler, safer, and sooner' than the Ares project, predicting the ability for a return to the moon in 2017, two years before the current goal. Ares management has so far dismissed the proposal as a 'napkin drawing.'"
Napkin Drawing (Score:5, Funny)
The 131 page proposal
That's a hell of a lot of napkins...
$35 Billion (Score:4, Funny)
From the project website:
$35 Billion in savings? How much is that in napkins?
Re:Yes, because we all know.... (Score:5, Funny)
Does it come with a funky robot? (Score:3, Funny)
After reading the summary the only thing that went through my head was memories of Matt Le Blanc, and the urge to cry: "Danger, Will Robinson!"
I could probably do with a rest...
I love it... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:"A Napkin Drawing?" (Score:3, Funny)
Eleven years, actually (till 2019). It will take longer in practice, I'm sure, but you should check your figures before posting.
He wasn't quoting a figure, he was asking a question. But don't let that stop you from answering his question in a condescending and arrogant manner.
Re:$35 Billion (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Yes, because we all know.... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Never underestimate a motivated engineer (Score:4, Funny)
After all, it not rocket surgery.
So easy, even a caveman could do it?
Re:"A Napkin Drawing?" (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Napkin Drawing (Score:5, Funny)
>> The 131 page proposal
> That's a hell of a lot of napkins...
Hardly. That's like two visits to Taco Bell.
Re:$35 Billion (Score:3, Funny)
I need this figure in LOC's or it's useless to me.
marketing (Score:1, Funny)
20 years ago we had a shitload of cars that could do better than 40 mpg, now they say they can't do it without studies and mumbling hydrogen and saying maybe in 10 years or something and the price will be triple.
Re:Yes, because we all know.... (Score:4, Funny)
It sure almost worked for Richard Pryor -- he damn near killed Superman with a computer drawn on the back of napkins.
Re:Napkin Drawing (Score:2, Funny)
The 131 page proposal
That's a hell of a lot of napkins...
Not in metric...
Re:Yes, because we all know.... (Score:5, Funny)
There's at least one notable example where a napkin drawing caused a stonhenge monument to be in danger of being crushed by a dwarf.
Re:We Already Have a Moon Rocket (Score:5, Funny)
How something was designed is not as important as why it was designed that way.
You're one of those people who COMMENT THEIR CODE, aren't you! :-)
Re:Napkin Drawing (Score:4, Funny)
Are you counting the used toilet sheets after going to taco bell as well?
Re:Not Napkins... (Score:3, Funny)
I have no idea, and frankly the movie was awful so I am certain I'll never watch it again to find out.
Really far more interesting at this point is how I got moderated Insightful instead of Funny or maybe a stretch to say Interesting.
Sometimes I just don't get this place ...
Re:Yes, because we all know.... (Score:2, Funny)
The problem is keeping all 131 napkins in order and intact.
Just buy an Apple iWipe. (But careful not to mix anal mode and facial mode.)
Re:Simple, as in "leverages existing systems" (Score:2, Funny)
the shuttle didn't live up to the hype
Hell, what does?