To insert a message into this discussion that continues the global
warming brouhaha, but also actually has some connection -- even if
rather indirect -- to piloting (or at least, to the undesirability of
putting pilots into space, if you want to look at it that way):

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WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 6 Jan 06 Washington, DC

1. POLITICAL RETRIBUTION: DEEP SPACE CLIMATE OBSERVATORY KILLED.

The deep space climate observatory satellite Triana was never able to
overcome its roots, and NASA has now quietly terminated what may have
been its most important science mission.

Critics of programs to limit emissions argue that climate change is
caused by solar variation, not by atmospheric changes. There is one
unambiguous way to tell: locate an observatory at L-1, the
neutral-gravity point between Earth and Sun. It would have a continuous
view of the sunlit face of Earth in one direction, and the Sun in the
other, thus constantly monitoring Earth's albedo.

Al Gore initiated the observatory project in 1998 to inspire school
children with a continuous view of climate unfolding on our fragile
planet. It was even given a poetic name, Triana, the sailor on the Santa
Maria who was first to sight the New World. But Triana's importance to
climate research, perhaps Earth's biggest challenge, was not recognized
until later.

With urging from the National Academy, it was finished in 2001 and given
a new name. It was still waiting to be launched when Columbia crashed.
By then we had a new President and a new "vision." It was put on hold.

The official reason for killing it is "competing priorities." The
priority now is to replace Gore's vision of the world with the Bush
vision of sending people back to the moon. We should all weep.

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Opinions are the author's and not necessarily shared by the University
of Maryland -- but they should be.

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