Cool link, thanks.

I have always wondered the same as you, for NASA to be a publicly funded organization through tax dollars allocated to it by representatives that vote the will of the people...they sure do pretty stupid things that only interest us nerds. It's no wonder why they have to scramble to get funding.

I mean, come on, how hard would it for them to come up with things that the average Joe could get his/her hands on and get excited about space again? Simple webcams...hell even a Moon rover that everyone could take turns driving...ok that is not a good idea, but maybe a moon camera that anyone could access and move around for several minutes before its some others turn. The return on those investments would be almost incalculable. You would not only engaged the current public with ongoing first person participation, but you would inspire countless youth that would grow up, go to school and make Star Trek come true through science.....lol.

If I ran NASA, I would setup a public access technology office whose job it would be to co-ordinate with mission managers to see how and what they can cheaply integrate into each space package that fits the bill of something simple, low cost, and accessible/engaging by some dude in a one bedroom apartment and a high speed internet connection.

Not too much to ask for, considering its our money. Just think of the extra tax money that NASA might get with greater public support spawned through direct to public interaction via technology!