posted 02-20-2003 08:19 AM               

Who'd a thunk it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2160743949&category=416

posted 02-20-2003 12:39 PM            

No way would I pay that much!

posted 02-20-2003 04:11 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gordon Reade:
$200.00 for the opening bid.

No way would I pay that much!

$100.00 maybe but 200, no.

---

For an item flown to space this is certainly not out of range, if you ask me.

Alright, you didn't ask :-)

posted 02-21-2003 03:34 AM               

He has, IMHO, exhibited no real talent, save being a 'prettier' man than I. I remember someone stating that "Wow, a real artist is going into space. Think of way he can express the feelings of being up there." I recall an episode of "The Simpsons" where Bart is 'recruited' into a boy band. These singers rarely write their own songs, create their own dances, or style their own shows. They, IMHO, define the term, 'Phoney'!!!

I understand and appreicate the fact that, yes, he has made it further than any of us in the astronaut/cosmonaut process, but that only good so far as to show what exactly money can buy. But remember, he DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY!!!

Yes, if I had an extra $20 million just taking up space, I would gladly support the Russian space program and fill up a seat for them. But it's largely academic, isn't it? Until the day I have said $20M, I will simple keep playing the lottery anytime it's over $80 Million (since, after taxes and straight payout, it leaves me with the perfect sum).

And, I don't like his (Bass') haircut... Come on, guys aren't suppose to highlight their hair!

posted 02-21-2003 09:17 AM               

Astronauts and cosmonauts have earned their
trips into space!

Paul

posted 02-21-2003 11:22 AM            

If you'd like to support the Russian space program you don't need to spend 20M.

I was at Baikonur for the launchs of both Dennis Tito and Mark Shuttleworth. I dropped about four thousand each time. Looking back on it I'm glad I did. It was my way of showing support and Tito's family really appreseated it. That a "normal" person cared enough to spent the time and money to come and watch was important to them.

P.S. When we were shown Tito's appartment in Star City I noticed he had a novelty wrist watch with a picture of a space suited Dennis Tito on the face. It was on his book shelf. I suggested that we all buy watches like that and wear them to the launch to show our support. But sorry to say I was unable to find were to buy them.

posted 02-21-2003 12:15 PM            

No offense to the hardworking astronauts, cosmonauts and taikonauts - all of whom I admire, but... as long as we think space needs to be something you earned, we're doomed. The idea, to me, that we'll still be memoralizing every flight into space with a mission patch in 2030 or 2040 is just abhorant to me. When space is utterly anonymous - that's when we will have achieved something.

It cost $1 billion per person to go to the moon (27 astronauts/$30B) - if the government's paying the bill, yeah, we should send folks who earned their place. But if Oprah Winfrey or Rupert Murdoch wanted to drop $1B to be the first person to be back on the Moon, and promised to not even talk about it after returning ("naaa, that's my business"), I'd be 100% behind it.

And what does it matter whether Lance Bass paid out of his pocket or convinced someone else to pay his freight? Obviously, any sponsors he would have gotten their money's worth (price = value, QED).

posted 02-21-2003 12:20 PM            

You say that astronauts and cosmonauts have earned their way into space.

That is very true. But it is just as true for Dennis Tito. He earned a Ph.D in Math. In the 1960's he earned a job at JPL where he designed the tragaies for the first probs to Mars, Mercury and Venus. He left NASA to earn the money for his own launch into space.

posted 02-21-2003 01:46 PM               

If that's true about Dennis Tito, then I
agree with you, he did earn the trip, even though he did pay for it!

I'm afraid, however, that the days of
privately or publicly (as in fundraising
through sponsers) financed trips are still
a few years off! I would hate to see the
day, however, when someone would do this
just for publicity!

I must admit, however, that I would definitely pay for a trip, if I could afford
it! And I'm sure that many former astronauts
would gladly pay for the opportunity to go
up again!

I'm still not 100% in favor of the idea!
But, what the heck, go for it! As many have
said before, perhaps such trips could inspire
more of the younger generations to want to
get involved in space exploration!

I raise my "bid" to $2.50!

posted 02-21-2003 02:02 PM            

Why would someone pay $200. for a "flown" picture of someone who has never "flown" into space, and probably never will.

If I could get a picture of my mom flown, who in the world would pay money for that?

Rizz

posted 02-21-2003 10:55 PM               

If I could get a flown picture of your mother, I'll bet you'd pay for it!

------------------
Fran�ois Guay
Collector of litterature, notebooks, equipment and memories!