You Want To Do What Now?

Oh, My Dear Friends, this one's a doozy! Have you ever heard something that was so absurd that you had to laugh, then you realize it's true and it really sets you off? I'm there and, I'm guessing in just a few short minutes, you will be too! Here we go. OSIRIS-REx. What is OSIRIS-REx you ask? It's a budgeted 2.5 Billion (yes, billion with a "B") dollar NASA mission to "catch" an asteroid.  Yup! Space, the final frontier. You see, in order to understand the Universe, we need to analyse a "pristine" sample of an asteroid. Not just any asteroid mind you. That would be reckless and silly. This mission is to fly to near-Earth Asteroid (101955) 1999 RQ36.  Why this particular asteroid? Because it is "the most exciting, accessible, volatile and organic-rich remnant from the early solar system" according to NASA. Duh! There is a chance that Asteroid (101955) 1999 RQ36 could impact the Earth in the "next few centuries".  According to NASA, there is a 1 in 1800 chance Asteroid (101955) 1999 RQ36 could impact the Earth in 2182 but there are no guarantees. It isn't rocket science after all. Oh, wait, that's exactly what it is. So you can see why it was so important to include $800-Million Dollars in the 2014 budget to get this crucial project underway. There is no time to waste because, according to NASA calculations Asteroid (101955) 1999 RQ36 should pass within 279,000 miles of Earth in 2019 or 2020. Oh My! Call me crazy but this seems like a bit of an extravagance in light of the "Fiscal Cliff" and all. Wouldn't be easier to just say to the Japanese, "Hey, I'll bet you can't catch that asteroid" and then wait for them to do it? I guess not. So, my Dear Friends, as you watch your taxes go up and your quality of life go down just remember, the more we know about the origins of the planet......I really don't know. But, the people of 2182 will thank you, maybe.
Po