I think you have hit on a MAJOR opportunity for NASA: find focus. The variety of programs and expectations from the organization seem confusing and even contradictory. While NASA is seen mainly as a “space” agency (even by you!), it does much more than that.

What would it look like if the US actually spent $18 billion on “space exploration” each year and not just on “NASA”? What would we miss if all of research, operations, and other functions were suddenly gone? Is there a way to describe what NASA does that fully expresses the range of activities that are being funded?

I propose a “NASA 2050″ team to look at the future of the agency and where it will be 40 years from now. We need a future in space that is bigger than one President, one mission, or one program.

What will be NASA’s role in a thriving space-faring civilization: regulation, research, exploration, science? Once you know the destination, the path will become clear and the agency as a whole can move forward with unified purpose.

I think starting with the name even is important– are we really about ‘aeronautics’ and ’space’? How ‘national’ focused should it be vs. leaning towards international cooperation (while still being the American space program)?

You actually do pose NASA as about ’space exploration’, which seems obvious to some, but there is serious consideration of NASA as more of a research (fundamental and applied) organization.

I personally would love for NASA to be an international leader for developing and coordinating space exploration activities (manned and unmanned). Could NASA even delve into the realms of what is not quite possible, like faster forms of space transportation?

Lofty goals such as science have in the past been an olive branch between disconnected parties. Space exploration can that, and NASA could reinvent itself to be part of that.

I am really sorry that you have had such a negative experience (and I know that there’s lots of that type of info on the web.) I have had the opposite experience: I’ve had amazing results for my life out of the courses. Specifically, not too many years ago (just one example), I was kicked out of an organization at Goddard, basically for being a jerk. I deserved it – I didn’t respect the people in charge and thought that I was going to run the show. What I discovered through my courses was a new love for other people – a genuine interest in other people’s lives. Today, I am known as someone who is respectful and cooperative, and I am an associate branch head because of it. I wouldn’t be where I am today without what I’ve learned about myself.

I’d be happy to chat more about it over email, but let’s allow this post and its comments to be about NASA and the space program, since that’s the purpose of this website.

I am sad that such a smart person is taken in by a scam/pyramid scheme like Landmark Forum. I had a roommate that participated once. We were pestered by phone calls. They were insistent she bring guests (that would eventually be recruited to the paying events). Even basic cult-like activity – like being told she should “volunteer” for their call center to get the most of her experience (yeah, right, free help for a for-profit company!). As far as I can tell, the actual seminar practices basic forms of brainwashing – such as short, intense experiences accompanied by controlled breaks, food deprivation and lack of sleep.

There are other ways to change your life… just google “landmark forum scam” and see for yourself.