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Author
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Topic: Would you rather win $1 million or space trip?
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Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 02-04-2012 03:33 PM
  
Sixteen NASA Glenn Research Center employees in Cleveland, Ohio split $172,500 after taxes in the Mega-Millions lottery game on Jan. 31. If they would've bought the Megaplier for an extra $1 they'd have split one million! That's what is called going where they have never gone before... Would you rather win one million dollars or a trip into outer space? |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-04-2012 03:43 PM
The cash for me please. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 02-04-2012 03:45 PM
Depends. If I am going into orbit or to the ISS, I would choose that over $1 million. If I was going into what Virgin Galactic considers 'space', then I would rather take the $1 million and pay off all debts and live debt free and happy  |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 02-04-2012 03:45 PM
I would invest the $1mil so I can get enough to buy myself a seat on the Souyz.  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-04-2012 03:50 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MrSpace86:
If I was going into what Virgin Galactic considers 'space', then I would rather take the $1 million and pay off all debts...
I would think that with $1 million, you could pay off your debts, live comfortably and buy a $200,000 ticket on Virgin Galactic, if you so chose. |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 02-04-2012 03:52 PM
I would take the money and invest it to get it starting to gain some interest. Biggest ticket expense for me would be an airplane so I could build stick time again. Then I would see if it was feasable for a guy like me to get a ride into space with my age and health issues. If it was and the opportunity presented itself, THEN I would take a shot at it. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-04-2012 05:35 PM
If I am being practical, for my family I would tae the money. If I was being selfish I would take the spaceflight. But if I took the spaceflight, when I returned I may just wish I stayed up there when my wife got a hold of me. |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 02-04-2012 05:43 PM
Take me to space. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 02-04-2012 08:54 PM
I'll take the $$$. |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 02-04-2012 11:31 PM
Money please. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-05-2012 02:13 AM
I would do the spaceflight, since you only get to live once. How many people, on their death bed, say "I wish I made more money and had less adventure in my life." |
Grounded!
Member Posts: 367
From: Bennington, Vermont, USA
Registered: Feb 2011
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posted 02-05-2012 04:12 AM
Can you say spam in a can? I'll take the money. |
Spaceguy5
Member Posts: 427
From: Pampa, TX, US
Registered: May 2011
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posted 02-05-2012 04:20 AM
I think I would take the money, invest it towards something useful and career building (like, say, starting a business), and then try to find alternate ways into space. |
Cozmosis22
Member Posts: 968
From: Texas * Earth
Registered: Apr 2011
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posted 02-05-2012 04:36 AM
Well, a cool million is pretty cheap for a ticket to ride. Would get the cameras ready for the trip and say "Gimme Space!" |
Cliff Lentz
Member Posts: 655
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 02-05-2012 09:13 AM
I think I could easily sell more than a million dollars in advertising opportunities for my space flight and more than break even! |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 02-05-2012 03:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
I would think that with $1 million, you could pay off your debts, live comfortably and buy a $200,000 ticket on Virgin Galactic, if you so chose.
Heck yes, I like that idea better!!! |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 02-07-2012 09:35 AM
Cash every time. I suspect that those who opted for the space flight have little idea of how dehumanising the experience is nor of the degrading aspects of life aboard both past and present day space craft. |
Rick
Member Posts: 379
From: Yadkinville, NC
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-07-2012 04:30 PM
I'll take the spaceflight hands down ... and then sell the book and movie rights to my story for a cool TEN million dollars! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-07-2012 04:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by moorouge:
I suspect that those who opted for the space flight have little idea of how dehumanising the experience is nor of the degrading aspects of life aboard both past and present day space craft.
The conditions climbing Mount Everest, diving to the Titanic and meteorite hunting in Antarctica aren't 5-star either, but I suspect a great number who've taken part in those experiences would disagree with you. I know a good number of astronauts who would tell you that you have missed the point entirely. |
p51
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 02-07-2012 08:57 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MrSpace86:
Depends. If I am going into orbit or to the ISS, I would choose that over $1 million. If I was going into what Virgin Galactic considers 'space', then I would rather take the $1 million and pay off all debts and live debt free and happy.
That's pretty much how I see it as well. Like others here, I wouldn't in good conscience be able to take the space option, knowing I cheated my wife out of (relative) financial security after being so patient and supportive of my interests over the years. No way could I come back and say, "Wow, what a great trip to the ISS. Did you make the mortgage payments while I was gone, Honey?" And I'd think most people (in steady marriages) if REALLY presented with the option, would feel the same. Besides, with that kind of money and my current job, I'd be able to go to Russia and get one of those very-high-altitude MIG-25 rides and then go to Space Camp every year, as well as regularly visiting Kennedy and Johnson Space centers. Those would satisfy the need, for the most part. I also think many married space fans wouldn't have the choice anyway. In the end, space is still a VERY dangerous way to travel, one I think many wives would put their foot down on a husband willing to go. Heck, Mike Mullane admitted being terrified in his book when he went up and he was a trained astronaut (pre-STS-51L) who wanted it VERY badly. quote:
Originally posted by Rick:
I'll take the spaceflight hands down ... and then sell the book and movie rights to my story for a cool TEN million dollars!
That's a point I hadn't thought of. Going into space would lead to lots of opportunities in business and public speaking that could see a shrewd person through a very long time. The lecture circuit could be quite lucrative if you had the right handling. However, I can't see a book deal making you rich, though, unless you single-handedly saved the ISS or were somehow involved in some kind of juicy scandal. The best way to make money would be to refuse to sign autographs, drive up the price and then a few years later auction off a few. Come on folks, you KNOW that would gain you cash! |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 02-07-2012 09:45 PM
No wife, no kids, no prospect of ever retiring with even a million dollars (after taxes).Let's light this candle!  |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 02-08-2012 01:58 AM
We cross swords again Robert, however this time it is you that has missed the point of my post.I was NOT demeaning the bravery or dedication of those who undertake such adventures but pointing out that the average citizen has little idea of the basic living necessities in space. Personally I would find it distasteful to be handed a bag containing the stools of my colleague to knead in a germicide tablet; to live in a cabin chasing escaped stools; to undergo 'potty training' with the realisation that body wastes in space do not behave as they do under gravity. It takes a special person to accept the degrading conditions imposed by space flight. It is not the glamourous life that the public sees. My post merely was an attempt to point this out. |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 02-08-2012 03:00 AM
Why does it always have to come down to "fecal material"?For the record, I don't believe a fecal collection bag has been used since maybe one of the very early shuttle missions thanks to the wonders of the zero gee toilet working as advertised since that time. Even when the toilet on the ISS broke down, they still were able to use it in a backup mode before the parts came up on shuttle. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-08-2012 03:26 AM
Suffice to say, having had some experience in this regard due to earlier surgical needs, the whole bathroom in a bag is a mild concern. You get over it pretty quickly — and that's without the benefit of a window view of the Earth below you.Granted, it's easy to get spoiled by the modern convenience of life, but from everything I understand, the rewards of spaceflight outweigh any of the personal inconveniences several times over. |
music_space
Member Posts: 1179
From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 02-08-2012 08:39 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
...the whole bathroom in a bag is a mild concern.
I'm glad to hear that, Robert. That's a change of sentiments from a TV inteview of old where you jested that in case of WCS malfunction, you'd be calling "Houston, we have a problem"!As per the post's topic: I'd fly! |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 02-08-2012 08:54 AM
The spaceflight. Then collect the millions of advertising dollars from the highest bidding corporate giant after I wipe their temporary logo tattoo off of my forehead. |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 02-08-2012 09:27 AM
Unfortunately under present circumstances, the money. If things were a bit different, than the spaceflight as long as it was orbit or to the ISS.As far as the "dehumanizing aspect", moorouge, I assume you don't have any animals to clean up after. |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 02-08-2012 03:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by fredtrav:
As far as the "dehumanizing aspect", moorouge, I assume you don't have any animals to clean up after.
Do have animals, or an apology for one called 'Hendrix'. But can't get out of my mind the astronaut who said he'd rather put up with the agony of constipation rather than use the toilet facilities. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 02-08-2012 04:40 PM
If the choice was $1m or Virgin Galactic flight I'd take the former and maybe pay for a flight in the Virgin Galactic ship... But if it was $1m or flight aboard Soyuz to the ISS I'd be already packed and studying Russian. |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 02-08-2012 07:12 PM
The Powerball Lottery was over $250 million today so I bought $10 in tickets. Dreaming of a spaceflight... |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 02-08-2012 07:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by moorouge:
But can't get out of my mind the astronaut who said he'd rather put up with the agony of constipation rather than use the toilet facilities.
That was Bill Anders. Considering it was Apollo 8 where all they had was the CM for their trip to the moon and back, I can understand that (especially after Frank's stomach bug bit). At least with Apollos 9 through 17 for a fair portion of the trip they had the LM, which could act as a private outhouse of sorts.Personally, I think you are blowing it just a bit out of proportion. |
p51
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 02-08-2012 08:57 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
You get over it pretty quickly —
I agree with you, Robert (as I usually do). Having been in the military, you DO get used to certain bodily habits not being public or as convenient as they are at home. Try living in a MOPP (chemical warfare) suit for two or three days at a time. I doubt it's much different than being in a spacesuit, maybe even more of a big deal as in a spacesuit you're not sweating pools of water or being covered in grime, dust and other icky things. Yeah, I'd take pooping in a bag over having had the experiences I have had in the field with one of those things... |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 02-09-2012 02:59 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Jay Chladek:
That was Bill Anders.
I was actually thinking of Frank Borman who went 9 days without a bowel movement on Gemini 7 much to the concern of Jim Lovell who thought that having gone so long should have been able to manage another 5 days.This said, I still maintain that this aspect of space flight is not generally appreciated by the general public. Basic human needs are rarely mentioned in published exploration journals except as an obscure reference. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-09-2012 07:05 AM
quote:
Originally posted by moorouge:
Basic human needs are rarely mentioned...
From 1996 to 1999, I created and ran "Ask An Astronaut", the first online forum where the public could interact and ask questions of former and current NASA astronauts. We received tens of thousands of questions for the likes of Story Musgrave, John Glenn, Kathy Thornton, Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin. Care to guess what the most popular question was, regardless of who the astronaut was we were featuring? How do you go to the bathroom in space? That was followed by what do you eat in space, how do you sleep in space, how do you brush your teeth, shave, shower, etc.Questions about their actual missions or what it was like walking on the moon or even do you believe in aliens paled in comparison. My impression from that experience is that most people, regardless of their age, realize that the conditions in space are different than here on Earth. |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 02-09-2012 08:09 AM
If it's just a Virgin Galactic pop shot, give me the million. If I am going to orbit for awhile, in a capsule, on the ISS, whatever, I'll take the trip.As far as going to the bathroom in space, speaking as a hunter who has had to squat up against a tree in the woods for a bowel movement in freezing conditions, I think I can handle the space toilet, diaper, whatever, just fine. |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 02-09-2012 09:01 AM
I've no doubt that the question was raised. It always is, albeit rather shyly. However, it depends on how many people viewed your forum and, more importantly, in what detail the question was answered.Just to claim that it was the most popular question asked and to score a point doesn't alter the fact that the general public at large have little or no comprehension of this aspect of life in orbit for the simple reason that it is hardly ever mentioned in reports and then only in the most general of terms. However, here we are holding a discussion within an interested community who I would expect to know about these matters. I don't think that cS members quite qualify as 'the general public'. I've tried to set aside my feelings about this and given what I believe is an unbiased reaction to the original question. Of course, members of cS would jump at the chance of a trip into orbit. They wouldn't be cS members if they didn't have that interest. Let's agree to disagree on this. I stick to my first choice. Despite having had a deep involvement with astronautics for fifty or more years, it's the money for me. Space flight is still too messy and far too dangerous. |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 391
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 02-09-2012 03:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by p51:
Try living in a MOPP (chemical warfare) suit for two or three days at a time. I doubt it's much different than being in a spacesuit, maybe even more of a big deal as in a spacesuit you're not sweating pools of water or being covered in grime, dust and other icky things.
I've done that myself both in training and in Saudi Arabia. Made me wish for a liquid cooled garment under that thing. |
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