There is a misconception that NASA's budget is a significant portion of what the USA spends in a year. It isn't. It's tiny--about 0.6-0.8% of the US federal budget.

People love to demonize the space program for stealing money from whatever their own personal pet cause is when the truth is that there is fat to be cut in any area you care to pick, and the space program is not a good place to start looking for cash--there is much more elsewhere.


Torben

Does it not take MUCH more energy to produce a carbon fiber car than a regular one? I don't know where the balance is between the energy cost of making the a lighter, more advanced car vs the cost of just paying more to fuel a heavier, energy cheaper car.

Originally Posted by dknguyen

Does it not take MUCH more energy to produce a carbon fiber car than a regular one? I don't know where the balance is between the energy cost of making the a lighter, more advanced car vs the cost of just paying more to fuel a heavier, energy cheaper car.

As I recall. Currently most of the carbon fiber production is gobbled up by the aircraft industry.

The process of making a carbon fiber panel is very labor intensive. It is not suitable for the mass production of cars.

A Denver Colorado company (and possibly others) have worked out a system where the resin and chopped carbon fiber are injected into a mold under pressure. The auto makers are said to be interested in the system.

This part is hazy, carbon fiber is somewhat tricky to manufacture. I do not recall the details but do not think it has anything to do with the energy used in production.

If they start producing it on the scale need to make cars the price should drop.

Originally Posted by 3v0

If they start producing it on the scale need to make cars the price should drop.

I was watching the F1 racing the other week, with lots of front spoilers and nosecones been replaced due to minor bumps - fairly small components, but they apparently cost £30,000 ($60,000).