Is NASA afraid to think outside the box or what?

Question

After looking at concepts for the new NASA manned lunar hardware, it is apparent they have gone back to the original concept of lunar landing they abbandoned in favor of the "all at once" aproach they used during the Apollo program. It seems to me we could do better than use an almost 40 year old concept to get back to the moon.The only thing that comes back to earth is the command module and all the other hardware get tossed along the way again.What do you think we should use to get back on track?

Mr. Quark · Accepted Answer

The levels of accountability insisted upon by the public create an environment that is very adverse to risk taking.  I work for a large space contractor and I see a very large amount of the money spent on programs going into maximizing the probability that they will work properly right out of the box, and CYA activities.  Resources go to this  because the taxpayer demands it.

If you want innovation, you also have to be willing to spend a lot of money on some things that won't go anywhere, and also accept that some people heading such projects will be in it only for personal enrichment.  If you want high accountability  and low risk then you are stuck with the current system.

Jim C · Answer

Since no science has been done on the subject since Apollo, (I am referring to a lunar landing) I think they have the right idea, build on a success, and move forward from there.

Anonymous · Answer

NASA has grown too huge and beuracratic...........1986 disaster and its subsequent inquiry and Feynman's report being sidelined just proves the point.

NASA needs a dynamic leader who can cleanse this corrupt organization.

surfinthedesert · Answer

NASA's funding has been gutted since the end of the Cold War, so it's not their fault.

KingCucamonga · Answer

They sure are. That's why they never go to Taco Bell

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Is NASA afraid to think outside the box or what?

5 Answers