Isn't Arecibo where SETI operates?

Isn't Arecibo where SETI operates?

Arecibo is one of several radio telescopes that SETI currently leases time on. SETI's funding comes from private foundations; most of which take contributions from the general public. SETI is in the process of building a facility of their own which is optimized for their uses. They plan to use digital signal processing with an array of small dishes to monitor millions of channels at once.

SETI- primary website

Allen Telescope Array

SETI is controversial. It enjoys quite a bit of popular support but mainstream scientists are skeptical about its science, methods and value. Paradoxically, SETI enjoys solid funding which it uses to assist other programs like upgrades to existing radio telescopes and the search for planets beyond our solar system.

While many scientists roll their eyes at the mention of SETI, they are always glad to see SETI arrive because they bring money which makes them the most welcome of guests.

James' previous blog reminds us that, sometimes, the manned space effort can help the unmanned: Without the space station, the shuttle program would probably not exist now, and then we couldn't repair Hubble. This works against the point I want to make next.

I suspect that we could afford to fund all land-based astronomy fully with help from an increment borrowed from the manned effort. How important is putting a man on Mars? Are way paying for that with redarded science? How to blog readers feel about that?

Sorry if you guys covered this already. I confess to not having searched thoroughly.

I don't like the manned vs robot debate. I think that they both have valid place but both should be applied with praticality in mind.

At the present time, Mars is in reach but only if we mortgage the future. The moon is easily in reach but it too is not worth the expense.

In my humble opinion, I think that we should make better use of the space station, transition to the next generation "shuttle" and continue to use robotic probes as pathfinders.

With a space station, why is it necessary to launch a stand alone space telescope? Why not add it as a module to the existing space station? If something goes wrong, it doesn't take a manned mission to go fix it. The guy minding the store can get his tool belt out and go fix it and it doesn't take a billion dollar space shot.

George Bush, I know you follow my blog. Hire me, put me in charge of NASA and I'll fix the problems. We won't make Mars until 2030 but we aren't going too anyway.