Space Elevator Research Bill

[Emsworth]

Space Elevator Research Bill

1.  The Republic of Atlasia authorizes $40,000,000 to be put into research of the necessary technology of the space elevator.

2.  One year from the passage of this bill, a representative of the research team will report back to the Senate with recommendations of funding for the construction of the structure.

Sponsor: Sen. Harry

[Emsworth]

Another interesting idea, but I'm afraid that this is not the time. Cutting spending should be this Senate's priority.

[Gabu]

I won't table this one, given that, as far as I can tell, this one actually does something, but I will express my opposition to it for the reasons Emsworth has stated.

[Jake]

An interesting article on this subject here.

[PBrunsel]

Man, I am all for space exploration, but I favor a balanced budget more.

[King]

If this does pass, make sure you guys add a section to regulate the kind of music played in the elevator.  Nothing like bad elevator music!

[True Democrat]

Man, I am all for space exploration, but I favor a balanced budget more.

My sentiments exactly.  Also, if we pursue space exploration, we should call on other nations to help us meet the cost.

[Colin]

Man, I am all for space exploration, but I favor a balanced budget more.

My sentiments exactly.  Also, if we pursue space exploration, we should call on other nations to help us meet the cost.

I also agree with Senator PBrunsel in this regard.

[Sam Spade]

[DanielX]

I love this idea, really, but I'm too cheap, at least at the moment.

Proposed Amendment. The bill will be re-written as follows:


1.  The Republic of Atlasia authorizes $8,000,000 per fiscal year to be put into research of the necessary technology of the space elevator.

2.  Five years from the passage of this bill, a representative of the research team will report back to the Senate with recommendations of funding for the construction of the structure.

[Emsworth]

I'm afraid that my previous objection still stands, whether we put in a lump sum of $40 million, or $8 million a year for several years.

[Colin]

I'm afraid that my previous objection still stands, whether we put in a lump sum of $40 million, or $8 million a year for several years.

This does nothing to quell the assertions that we shouldn't be spending our deficit on things like Space Elevator research. I thought you were a fiscal conservative Dan?

[DanielX]

I'm afraid that my previous objection still stands, whether we put in a lump sum of $40 million, or $8 million a year for several years.

This does nothing to quell the assertions that we shouldn't be spending our deficit on things like Space Elevator research. I thought you were a fiscal conservative Dan?

Yes, but I have a soft spot on technology - if the government has to spend money, i'd rather it were on whiz-bang stuff like a space elevator then on mundane social engineering welfare. I just wanted to make the bill more palatable.

If you want, I can field a bill reducing the welfare-to-work funding bit from 5 years to 4, just to be mean to the poor and kind to wealthy space contractors .

[7,052,770]

If we're trying to cut costs, this is the way.  Once built it will save us assloads of money.

[Emsworth]

If we're trying to cut costs, this is the way.  Once built ...

And if. At this stage, I don't think that the investment is justified, while we have to do things like cut children's nutrition programs to reduce the deficit. (Yes, we did have to do that.)

[Jake]

I believe the costs have been estimated at approaching 20 billion dollars. Of course, down the road that money will be recouped, but we are running a deficit now.

[7,052,770]

I believe the costs have been estimated at approaching 20 billion dollars. Of course, down the road that money will be recouped, but we are running a deficit now.

we're running ourselves farther and farther into the ground using rockets to lift things into space...building the elevator will give us a hit now, but we can double the children's nutrition program once this thing is built and have many excess dollars to spend on various programs

[Sam Spade]

Fwiw, I am all for getting rid of the space shuttle.

Nonetheless, I think the near future in terms of space technology should be dealt with in terms of unmanned  probes to research different parts of our solar system and beyond.

They're not as expensive to maintain or build and do just as good of a job in exploring our universe.

I am also curious how the space elevator will produce revenue for the government (unless you plan on charging for each ride when it is finished).

[Jake]

I believe the long terms plan is to mine the asteroids/Moon/Mars plus it would eliminate much of the costs of launching everything into space (satellites, probes, space station modules, etc.).

[MasterJedi]

I am also curious how the space elevator will produce revenue for the government (unless you plan on charging for each ride when it is finished).

He means we won't have to spend the money on all the rocket fuel that we do now to get people into space, saving money.

[Sam Spade]

I am also curious how the space elevator will produce revenue for the government (unless you plan on charging for each ride when it is finished).

He means we won't have to spend the money on all the rocket fuel that we do now to get people into space, saving money.

Of course, I am not exactly familiar with the technology here, but how much money would it feasible take to

a. have the technology in space to build rockets or
b. using the space elevator to transfer rocket parts etc. into space, which then I would assume would have to be reconstructed there.

I would guess this elevator would not be strong enough to carry a whole rocket into space (the best solution)

[Emsworth]

Proposed Amendment. The bill will be re-written as follows:

1.  The Republic of Atlasia authorizes $8,000,000 per fiscal year to be put into research of the necessary technology of the space elevator.

2.  Five years from the passage of this bill, a representative of the research team will report back to the Senate with recommendations of funding for the construction of the structure.

The question is on the above amendment. All those in favor, say Aye; those opposed, say No.

[MasterJedi]

Aye

[PBrunsel]

Nay

[Sam Spade]

Nay