This is an open forum where anyone can add ideas they have for or about NASA. This is not an official NASA forum, but it is a way to openly get ideas and input for the agency.

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4. Accepted Ideas 1
5. Completed Ideas 1

1. 9 votes

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   find a way of developing reactors that use anti-matter

   Anti-matter: Can be contained by a magnetic flux, within a timed expansion of the magnetic fields in mil. seconds, with in a given area of space. A spherical containment vessel is where the process will take place. The use of six magnetic rings around the containment area moving in opposite direc... more

   Anti-matter: Can be contained by a magnetic flux, within a timed expansion of the magnetic fields in mil. seconds, with in a given area of space. A spherical containment vessel is where the process will take place. The use of six magnetic rings around the containment area moving in opposite directions and orbiting the containment will create an artificial gravity field, which can be controlled by the use of a mil. second flux, with in the chamber. This will hold the process of heat generation in place around the anti-matter core. Shielding around the containment will be used to protect the crew and other personal from both heat and radiation produced during the process. Plasma and lead shielding are the main elements in use for this level of protection and control. This Containment must be with in a perfect vacuum in order to allow heat generation to be effective in the creation of Ions at a given rate and speed with in the injector tubes. These Ions will then be stored in a holding area developed to maintain their rate and speed. This vessel will need to handle temperatures of up to 8,000 degrees (F) with in the inter- containment area. Nitrogen will be used to cool the core of the chamber and keep the antimatter stable. This process will produce an endless supply on Ions for use in the Ships Ion engines. This use of anti-matter will pave the way for sub-light engine development in the future. The on broad computers will be used to control the rate and speed of the Ions being produced by using the flux controller to very the magnetic and gravitational fields with in the chambers core. By speeding up the Ions before entering the engine injectors, high speed can be meet with in minutes in stead of in hours or days. Most Ion engine designs take a long time, before the burn will push the spaceship at a rate needed for inter planetary travel. This system will make it possible to change all that for the future.

   by anonymous | 0 comments
2. 9 votes

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   NASA must become a money maker...

   Why does NASA not inspire the media infused youth of today? I think it is because it has no money to do the really cool stuff. My solution to this is;
   It has been estimated that an average size neo asteroid could contain up to 7 trillion US$ worth of rare platinum group metals. NASA sho... more

   Why does NASA not inspire the media infused youth of today? I think it is because it has no money to do the really cool stuff. My solution to this is;
   It has been estimated that an average size neo asteroid could contain up to 7 trillion US$ worth of rare platinum group metals. NASA should be working furiously to capture and mine an asteroid to fund itself better. Use a tether to alter the asteroids orbit into one around earth at a safe distance. To increase the rate we can deliver material to earth/from earth, we should begin funding of a National Space Elevator. It is without a doubt the start of the NEXT big space race. The dangers of losing are dire. China has plans for the moon in 2020 which should be looked at as a strategic military move. Their space program is run by their military therefor any international cooperation will end in their military gaining technology and a space foothold. Should America step down from the lead I fear we will just sit back and let China rule space. That is why NASA must put the entire worlds space industry in check mate by having unlimited funding provided by space resources(not to mention shut congress up).

   by anonymous | 0 comments
3. 9 votes

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   Build a ship to collect space junk , and recycle at ISS

   build a highly maneuverable ship with a conical net to snag space debri, when full, bind it up, have a freighter take it to the ISS where a foundry could be set up build additional space craft or components. possible problems with international claims of sovereignity. Just think, the first ship t... more

   build a highly maneuverable ship with a conical net to snag space debri, when full, bind it up, have a freighter take it to the ISS where a foundry could be set up build additional space craft or components. possible problems with international claims of sovereignity. Just think, the first ship to be built in a micro-gravity environment

   by anonymous | 0 comments
4. 7 votes

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   IMPROVE THIS WEBSITE

   Why is it that this website is getting no updates, no articles, has no community because there is no advertising of it anywhere. Make a commercial, start a REAL public forum, add the ability to post pictures. You want this to work you gotta put some work in... I see NO reason to visit this web... more

   Why is it that this website is getting no updates, no articles, has no community because there is no advertising of it anywhere. Make a commercial, start a REAL public forum, add the ability to post pictures. You want this to work you gotta put some work in... I see NO reason to visit this website at all atm. Where are the people from NASA talking about what they want and need, talking to us so we can speak to our congress people. Where are the talks between NORMAL PEOPLE and NASA employees. It seems like you censor every post and or comment what the hell is open about that.. We all know a forum needs a moderator but when you call a site OPEN then PREMODERATE everything it defeats the point. I may never come back to this site after today but I will always care DEEPLY for my countries space program and just hope people will WAKE THE HELL UP.

   -Moderator if you have any self respect you will agree with me.

   **MODERATOR** I changed the title of this idea to be more constructive.

   by anonymous | 0 comments
5. 6 votes

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   Tesla wireless transmission should be reborned.

   It is and it was proved that the wireless transmittion of electricity works, based on a concept of Nikola Tesla. NASA could perfrom at least a small experiment in order to check if it is possible to send wireless energy into space or from it. Imagine power plants in the space, sending energy to t... more

   It is and it was proved that the wireless transmittion of electricity works, based on a concept of Nikola Tesla. NASA could perfrom at least a small experiment in order to check if it is possible to send wireless energy into space or from it. Imagine power plants in the space, sending energy to the earth, applications on Moon or other planets, energy transfer between earth and other planets. A small prototype could be investigated and tested for such purposes. If Tesla was once successful, why everybody forgets his achievements and simply cover them with a dust - despite the idea seem to be strange, it may be much more imporant than any of ionic engines which were developed up to date.

   by anonymous | 0 comments
6. 6 votes

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   encourage NASA to be risk embracing and take chances again.

   by anonymous | 0 comments
7. 4 votes

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   Fund NASA better by focusing on making money

   NASA needs money to do anything fun... Lets first have it focus on making money then it can fund its own HUGE missions. My idea is to have NASA focus on things that generate capitol. Examples. Operate a space elevator, Mine NEO's (average asteroid is thought to contain up to 7 trillion $US ... more

   NASA needs money to do anything fun... Lets first have it focus on making money then it can fund its own HUGE missions. My idea is to have NASA focus on things that generate capitol. Examples. Operate a space elevator, Mine NEO's (average asteroid is thought to contain up to 7 trillion $US in rare platinum group metals), Mine the moon for He3, etc. Also Develop climate change mitigation strategies to protect national capitol also. The key is to make NASA the best investment money can buy. Also end the exclusivity in NASA! It should be like the army where anyone can join and it can become stronger though recruitment. Let all the unemployed sign up and educate them in math and science then get them working the space elevator and saving the world...

   by Enok | 0 comments
8. 4 votes

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   STS Finale - 3 Shuttles to Mars

   STS Finale - 3 Shuttles to Mars

   by Michael J. Coppi, mjcoppi@cs.com, 01/02/09

   BASIC PLAN - BEFORE RETIRING THE STS FLEET [2011], USE THE SHUTTLES FOR A MANNED MISSION TO MARS

   Man on Mars by 2019

   As a former Aerospace Engineer with the Space Transportation System, I see no
   reason wh... more

   STS Finale - 3 Shuttles to Mars

   by Michael J. Coppi, mjcoppi@cs.com, 01/02/09

   BASIC PLAN - BEFORE RETIRING THE STS FLEET [2011], USE THE SHUTTLES FOR A MANNED MISSION TO MARS

   Man on Mars by 2019

   As a former Aerospace Engineer with the Space Transportation System, I see no
   reason why the U.S. [with minimal support from the International Space Station - ISS] cannot complete a manned Mars landing/return within ten years .

   Here's an outline - naturally there are details to work out, but this mission SHOULD BE viable [Orbiter Names are used arbitrarily].............

   OUTLINE

   i. Launch an unmanned vehicle carrying a 'canister' [CAN] of [approximately] 9-month [nominal length of trip to Mars] supply of food/water for 3-5 astronauts to low orbit.

   ii. Launch an unmanned vehicle carrying a booster rocket motor [BRM] into low orbit.

   'CAN' and 'BRM' are 'parked' together, possibly [preferably] docked-with/tethered-to ISS. See below [*] for alternative to BRM.

   1. Launch 'Discovery' from KSC pad 39A - in the cargo bay is an MEM [see below].

   MEM/Additional crew could also be pre-launched/picked-up at ISS.

   2. Discovery picks up CAN/BRM/MEM/Crew as necessary. MEM must go in cargo bay, 'CAN' is attached via a hatch/airlock for access en-route. 'BRM' is 'strapped on' for boost to Mars/course correction/insertion into Mars orbit.

   3. Atlantis is launched. Minimal [2] crew, payload [food/water for 9 months - crew of 2 to Mars, 9 months return - 7 astronauts] is pre-stowed in cargo bay and/or picked up in orbit like Discovery's 'CAN'. Also picks up a pre-launched 'BRM' [BRM X 2 = fuel to/from Mars].

   Atlantis is obviously the 'return from Mars' vehicle. Launched within days/weeks of Discovery from KSC pad 39B.

   4. Discovery arrives/orbits Mars, jettisons CAN &BRM. Fires existing onboard OMS [Orbital Maneuvering System] pods/enters Mars atmosphere, positioned to land at smoothest possible locale. Landing will be rough but upright and survivable. Perhaps oversized tires on retrofitted landing gear.

   5. After 2-week [+/-] excursion, launch MEM [Mars Exit Module - designed to carry crew from Mars surface to orbit] directly from cargo bay, meet Atlantis in Mars orbit, utilize Atlantis's double-capacity CAN & BRM for return to Earth, de-orbit as usual, land at Edwards AFB.

   6. Endeavour has been launched within a month of Discovery, and [with its own CAN/BRM] has followed Atlantis as backup/rescue. If unused, it can be fitted for a later Moon Return Mission [MRM]

   Why relegate retired Space Shuttles to eternity in a museum? Enterprise is already at the Smithsonian, as it should be [it was built as a prototype for glide/land tests WITHIN the atmosphere only]. The remainder of the fleet is spaceworthy, and that's exactly where they should spend their final days: IN SPACE.

   by Michael J. Coppi, mjcoppi@cs.com, 01/02/09

   Notes:

   Could be accomplished with two Shuttles [2 journey, 1 lands, 1 returns], or three [3rd as backup/rescue Mars Lander w/MEM]. Both or all three coupled together in "train" configuration with powering Shuttle at rear.

   The biggest argument might be Mars landing on uncleared ground but prior reconnaisance can easily choose a relatively barren area with just small rocks. Possibly even "ski"-type landing gear instead of wheels. Recall that landing is one-time only.

   * Perhaps a Mini-External-Tank [MET] as 'payload' in cargo bay of Discovery. Removed from bay in earth orbit [replaced with pre-launched MEM] and attached to the Mars-bound Shuttle [similarl to ET]. Main engines would then be available [greater thrust, throttleable and re-fireable for corrections and orbit insertion]. 'MET' option would remain in Cargo Bay of Atlantis/Endeavor with direct feed line to Main Engines.

   Copyright © 2009, Michael J Coppi
   909-370-3723, 626-447-9102
   .......................
   Addendum --

   Seed Mars!

   We must begin now to prepare Mars for future colonization by Humans.

   The 'search for life' program is now anticlimactic at best, moot at worst.

   Future probes should be deliberately "contaminated" with any and all organisms that have the slightest chance of surviving and taking root in the Martian environment.

   Life forms accustomed to Arctic/Anarctic locales are obvious prime choices.

   The simplest method of delivery would be to shield the probe for entry into the Martian atmosphere, then allow it to crash to the surface.

   More sophisticated soft landers could even provide nourishment and/or shelter for moss, grass, microbes, even insects.

   Terra-Forming efforts must start now!

   by Michael J. Coppi, mjcoppi@cs.com, 01/03/09

   --------------------------------------------------

   by mikecoppi | 0 comments
9. 4 votes

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   Fund NASA with MONEY MAKING MISSIONS and by letting anyone join!!

   I want an army for non violent NERDS.... In all seriousness though, we have 10-20% unemployment in America right now. We should be able to sign up and be educated for science just as we can for wars. We need a Science Army plain and simple. NASA atm gets no respect because it has always been... more

   I want an army for non violent NERDS.... In all seriousness though, we have 10-20% unemployment in America right now. We should be able to sign up and be educated for science just as we can for wars. We need a Science Army plain and simple. NASA atm gets no respect because it has always been the equivalent to tower sitting with science here and there. Its an Exclusive and Un-open Bureaucracy. The key is to open it up to everyone. Its gotta be inclusive if it wants to retain interest.
   I also think the future of space exploration is making it a profitable if not a break even investment. If NASA could focus on this, it could increase its own funding through recruitment, training, and missions. What type of missions? Running a commercial space elevator or precious metal recovery. Its been estimated an average size asteroid may contain up to 7trillion US$ in rare platinum group metals. Lets say the academy was able to get a tether on one of these neo's and slowly bring it into orbit around earth for mining. It could pay for itself and generate the funding needed for the colonization of the moon and space, not to mention help the current budget problems. It could better fund research on climate change mitigation and reduce the overall costs. The point is make money to fund huge missions/bold ideas instead of beg for money to fund small robotic ones. That will start the space age. Saving NASA and America from obscurity.

   by Enok | 0 comments
10. 4 votes

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    Use a magnetic orbiting spacecraft to collect metal debris.

    I don't know if magnets even work in space, but if they do....

    Perhaps a "magnetic craft" could be used to fly around earth orbit and pick up any metallic debris.

    by kenhes | 0 comments
11. 4 votes

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    open public feed between mission control and space station

    open audio and video, no filtering, no delay, no splicing of data

    by Cory09 | 0 comments
12. 4 votes

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    llDevelop bateria to biproduct oxigen

    I believe this can be the begining of terraforming.

    by anonymous | 0 comments
13. 3 votes

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    Coordinate Mars Sample Return with MSL

    Since the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch has been rescheduled for 2011, that timing may work well with the upcoming Mars Sample Return mission. Simply land the MSL rover on Mars as planned in 2012 and explore for a few years, gathering samples of most interest. The rover will have plenty... more

    Since the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch has been rescheduled for 2011, that timing may work well with the upcoming Mars Sample Return mission. Simply land the MSL rover on Mars as planned in 2012 and explore for a few years, gathering samples of most interest. The rover will have plenty of time to explore and find the most interesting samples. Then around 2014 or so, land the Mars Sample Return lander near the MSL rover location to receive the samples from MSL rover. Then blast off and return samples to Earth!

    by spacechimp | 0 comments
14. 3 votes

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    Make solar powerd jet boosts on the Webb to explore the solarsystem up close!

    by ekologicznyrobot | 0 comments
15. 3 votes

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    make a website where you can see how the hubble was built

    by anonymous | 0 comments
16. 3 votes

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    "Earth isn't enough."-think accross space.

    Future human generation needs more space in space.We have to discover nw planets(mars)& invent nw techs far space journy. It need fast. Rocket fuel,O2 ,injects fr control BMR&heart system,strong contact signal in space, more speed in crafts etc.

    by anonymous | 0 comments
17. 3 votes

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    Clean space junk using "Aero-Gel Collectors"

    Launch expandable arrays of Aero-Gel debris collectors that orbit until they are filled up with junk then enter the atmosphere to burn up(dispose of) collected space junk. The key is make it cheap and launch a lot of them to get the economy of scale.

    by anonymous | 0 comments
18. 3 votes

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    Space Exploration

    NASA should make a device that has a camcorder attached to it and can just wounder through space to see what else lies beyond our solar system.

    by anonymous | 0 comments
19. 3 votes

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    high speed rail

    Reduce the cost of getting a payload to space by increasing the inertia of the entire craft before it even leaves the ground.

    by anonymous | 0 comments
20. 3 votes

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    NASA get increase budget and solve nuclear waste disposal problem

    NASA should look into the idea of becoming the nations answer to the nuclear waste disposal problem. So far, 90+ billion dollars have been wasted digging a hole in Yucca Mt. that may never be used as a depository. NASA should tap into that money stream and develope a program for lauching nuclea... more

    NASA should look into the idea of becoming the nations answer to the nuclear waste disposal problem. So far, 90+ billion dollars have been wasted digging a hole in Yucca Mt. that may never be used as a depository. NASA should tap into that money stream and develope a program for lauching nuclear waste into deep space. Funding for a project like this could come from both the public and private sector. The push is on to build more nuclear power plants in the U.S. and the amount of waste will only get greater. Also, its a more GREEN solution to the problem.

    by Doug Fitt | 0 comments