NASA not giving Tito any TV time

By Steven Siceloff

FLORIDA TODAY

CAPE CANAVERAL - NASA couldn't prevent California businessman Dennis Tito from getting aboard space station Alpha, but it can keep him off the agency's television network.
Instead of showcasing the world's first private space traveler, NASA is all but pretending Tito's $20 million space vacation is not happening. Despite that, Tito has become a staple of cable news outlets, gettting the press attention NASA craves.

Those who support space exploration and lobby for it say NASA is making a mistake, particularly in the wake of an image-staining $4 billion cost overrun on the $96 billion station project. "They could have used Tito to try to turn the tide in their favor," said Marc Schlather, director of ProSpace, a grassroots organization trying to influence space policy. "I think (NASA's approach) is incredibly short-sighted. They could have couched it in a way that maintains their integrity and the integrity of their position."

The space agency and agencies in Europe and Japan contested Russian plans to launch Tito aboard a Soyuz rocket on a 10-day spaceflight, including 6 days aboard the space station, still under-construction.

Before his launch Saturday, NASA notified news organizations that there would be no more television of Tito's flight than the usual one hour a day allocated to the station. Also, NASA would not help cooridinate any interviews with Tito.

"NASA and its international partners have not been asked to participate in this commercial venture, nor have they contracted to provide any additional Public Affairs services during this flight," NASA said in a statement.

But instead of avoiding Tito, Schlather and others say NASA should use him to broaden the agency's appeal.

Besides, in the 40 years of human spaceflight, only a couple hundred people have made the trip.

Increasing that number and allowing people of more varied backgrounds to fly is central to widening NASA's appeal.

"I think (Tito's flight) is something that's going to inspire a lot of people," Schlather said.

NASA could get a second chance if Russian plans materialize to let "Titanic" director James Cameron fly to the station on a mission like Tito's. Russian officials say they have received other applications.
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Now I bet ya'll are wondering the same thing I am. Is this just NASA acting out of spite or what? Mind you - I dissagree with the way the Russians rammed Tito's flight down NASA's throats but this is ridiculus. NASA could be reaping the benifits that this kind of publicity could bring the ISS-Alpha programme. Instead, Dan Goldin and others in NASA management are being downright silly with this and should get on the Tito "express".

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"One's ethics are determined by what we do when no one is looking" Nugget
Star Trek: Gamma Quadrant
Star Trek: Legacy
Read them, rate them, got money, film them

"...and I remain on the far side of crazy, I remain the mortal enemy of man, no hundred dollar cure will save me..." WoV

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Signatures are for losers

Not if Marriott and those other enterprising corporations would get their off their duffs, so to speak, and build some hotels on the Moon and in orbit around the Earth ...

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"A celibate clergy is an especially good idea because it tends to suppress any hereditary propensity toward fanaticism."