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# it doesn't work
and never will.
for me at least.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:26, archived)
# beagle was far cooler looking than the american one
theirs looks like something off robot wars
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:27, archived)
# well, what were you hoping for
it only cost $820,000,000.00
there was nothing in the budget for aesthetics.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:29, archived)
# isn't that like
many many times more than beagle cost?
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:32, archived)
# Yes.
the Beagle budget could probably fit in a shoe-box in 1-quid coins. so good for them, because the Americans always spend way more, and generally get less bang for their buck.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:35, archived)
# however we must also consider the fact
that it was shit and didn't work.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:37, archived)
# yeah. but it didn't blow up
which is something in the way of progress by shuttle standards.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:39, archived)
# to be honest i don't care
i think anything that gets people interested in science and technology and encourages research is good... and i think elegance is a good thing in scientfic endeavor
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:39, archived)
# yep
otherwise it's guaranteed to go wrong..

but exciting little robots that work are the things that get people excited, not rock analysers that fail.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:41, archived)
# some of the ESA's projects have been quite successful
their satellite launch record, for instance, is very good. and see my note about the budget discrepancy above...
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:43, archived)
# well...true
but the thing is, space research is actually a very bad way to spend research funding. it's low-return, especially manned flights. i've no particular opposition to the automated stuff, and of course satellites are very useful. continuing manned exploration is rather pointless.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:41, archived)
# as far as americans are concerned,
robot wars is cool.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:29, archived)
# the american half of me
disagrees. but i may* be in the minority.

*almost certainly am
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:31, archived)
# americans who know of other countries
aren't proper americans.and therefore traitors.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:33, archived)
# fuck
am i to be shot in the morning then? or are they just going to ship me to Guantanamo?
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:35, archived)
# you'll be there indefinitely.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:37, archived)
# but i have rights!
oh, no i don't, this is Dubya's America, never mind.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:40, archived)
# me either
we're defective
if we were animals, they'd take us out the back and shoot us.
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:28, archived)
# yay!
(, Tue 6 Jan 2004, 1:29, archived)