BajaNomad

Jose Jiminez to finally orbit!

capt. mike - 4-29-2006 at 06:29 AM

This off today's Aero News Network.

1st Japan, then the EU and China.....why not Mexico with a space program??

Mexican Lawmakers Vote To Launch Space Program

Bill Faces Opposition In Upper House
It's the fulfillment of a dream... that, alas, may not see the light of day. Nevertheless, on Wednesday lawmakers in Mexico City approved a bill that, if passed by the Senate, would create a new Mexican Space Agency that supporters hope will help bring Mexico into the international space community.

With an initial budget proposal of less than $2 million, it's unlikely such a program would challenge the likes of NASA, the ESA, or China's CNSA anytime in the foreseeable future -- but supporters say they are looking at the long, long term potential of the measure.

"We'd love it to become the Mexican NASA, but obviously the levels of investment are incomparable. It's very distant, perhaps not in the vision but in resources," a spokesman for the Mexican Congress's Science and Technology Commission acknowledged to Reuters. The agency drew up the proposed law.

Mexico's lower house passed the law on Wednesday. It now goes to the upper chamber, where senators will debate the bill.

If they approve the bill, the agency could be up and running by next year, which supporters say would help Mexico advance in areas of science and technology.

Even they admit, however, that the bill faces an uphill battle. Members of the National Action Party -- a minority in the lower house, but rulers of the upper house -- voted against the proposal, saying the money would be better spent on eradicating Mexico's rampant poverty.

duh!

NOW what...?

djh - 4-29-2006 at 07:31 AM

Geeze, what WILL my brother do??

He has some great sayings. Like:

"Shaking like the Mexican Space Shuttle"

and

"Shaking like a cold Chihuahua"

and there's the famous:

"Slicker than fresh catsh*t on new linoleum"

.... Maybe they'll send a Chihuahua into cold space in the first shuttle.... hmmmm...

No disrespect intended..... Just having some fun waiting for my first cup of coffee!

Happy weekend Nomads!.... (although to you lucky devils who live there FULL time.... IS there a difference??)

djh

capt. mike - 4-30-2006 at 07:34 AM

can you imagine $2M in start up?? for a space program?? and this from the grupo that envisions such boon doggles as the escalera nautica?!

well, goes to show ya.

do you think one could get away with the old Ed Sullivan show skit today? in our current PC climate. I don't think even Speedy Gonzalez is safe entertainment.

Oso - 4-30-2006 at 07:43 AM

I have a very close friend here whose name, in fact, is Jose Jimeniz. He is fortyish, a Cachanilla immigrant from Mexicali. Speaks English more or less. Has 3 American born kids including teenage Jose Jr. They have never heard of the Bill Dana character. I would really love to find a tape or DVD of the old act. "My" Jose has a good sense of humor and I think he would really enoy it. Any clues?

aha baja - 4-30-2006 at 10:02 AM

Maybe when NASA has the planned shuttle retirement program in a few years they can GIVE Mexico the surplus used shuttles, and support materials. Should make for a real interesting fireworks show or two. Much like the early Geman V-2 rocket experiments. What are they thinking. Talk about screwed-up priorities.:o

elgatoloco - 4-30-2006 at 10:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Oso
I have a very close friend here whose name, in fact, is Jose Jimeniz. He is fortyish, a Cachanilla immigrant from Mexicali. Speaks English more or less. Has 3 American born kids including teenage Jose Jr. They have never heard of the Bill Dana character. I would really love to find a tape or DVD of the old act. "My" Jose has a good sense of humor and I think he would really enoy it. Any clues?


http://store.yahoo.com/laughstore/josjimgreatb.html

Packoderm - 4-30-2006 at 11:06 AM

"Maybe when NASA has the planned shuttle retirement program in a few years they can GIVE Mexico the surplus used shuttles, and support materials.":lol:

To be fair, Mexico has decent busses and airline jets of its own these days. Really, there is no reason Mexico shouldn't be one of the entities in the world engaged in a space program. It is a rich enough country to do so. Who knows; if they can put a man in outer space, maybe they can build a viable economy. All it would take is for a small number of big fish to put the well-being of their own country ahead of the prestige that goes with holding onto such a large percentage of the National worth. There is no reason that Mexico doesn't have an economy at least on par with S. Korea. In 1963, S. Korea had a per capita GNP of only $100. It exceeded $16,000 in 2005. It is now one of the largest economies in the world. As for the Mexican big fish, I'd want to get out of that small pond.

Oso - 4-30-2006 at 02:53 PM

Thanks Mateo,
I just ordered it, will give it to Jose for his B-Day.