Hello,
My name is Patryk and while I am an advocate of space exploration,
for a number of reasons, I do not believe that NASA will be the
instrumental organization to further that exploration. Given as NASA
is subject to the whims of executive and political policy and /or
budget cuts or restrictions to finance those whims and policies, it
is my thought that the Space Agency will forever be relegated to
research of space potentials and the administration of and future
extra-terrestrial endeavors. If mankind is going to enter into space
with the intent of staying there (i.e. interplanetary travel and
colonization) then it will be of necessity done as a commercial
venture funded through the private sector.

This is the reason I joined this group. It is my hope I may find like
minded individuals who will be willing to discuss and eventually
assist me in fleshing out my visions of a Space Transport and
Development Corp. whose mission would be to provide for the
exploration of our solar system, devise and design transport and
support facilities, and develop materials, standards, and guidelines
for colonization.

I am hoping to make this a serious attempt at furthering space
exploration in my lifetime (I am 38), rather than recreating another
role playing game or simulation. Therefore, I am looking for serious
discussion of existing technologies—either currently available or in
laboratory development (for example hydrogen fuel cells are not
currently available for automotive use but are currently being
examined and researched for said use…and the automotive industry is
said to expect its availability within the next five to ten years.
This type of potential availability would be acceptable for purposes
of discussion). What I would like to stay away from is "Star Trek ™"
like technologies (i.e. dilithium crystal drive engines, warp drive,
and transporters) and conversations along the lines of,
"…by the time we finish the design of this ship, there will have been
a breakthrough in propulsion/drive systems and we can use those
systems." This kind of conversation is not conductive to the goal of
creating a realistic and technologically sound space program; unless
of course the one making statements like that can produce valid and
verifiable research which could stimulate said "breakthrough".

Allow me to conclude by saying "Cost is an issue"… we are not the
government's Office of Procurement Management and cannot afford to
spend five $5000 each for stainless steel bolts. A project of this
size and magnitude will inherently cost tens or even hundreds of
billions, so we must make every effort to "pinch every penny" and get
as much as we can for as little cost as possible.

If this project is something you are interested in, please reply to
this post and we can get started.

Thank you for your time

Patryk