Do not think about, write about or deal with human behavior without determining the effects of incentives.
“The ill-fated $400K federal spacefood project
By Peter Rakobowchuk, The Canadian Press
MONTREAL – It’s the secret federal space-food project that never saw liftoff.
After quietly spending more than $400,000 to develop made-in-Canada meals for astronauts, the federal government has discreetly shelved the program, The Canadian Press has learned.
Only one item ever made it through NASA’s food-testing labs and into the astronauts’ stomachs: some cream-filled oatmeal cookies known as Canasnacks.
The original idea was to have space-friendly food kits ready in time for visits to the International Space Station by Canadian astronauts Julie Payette and Bob Thirsk in 2009 and, eventually, to feed all the world’s astronauts.
The two-year project was officially put on hold after two key researchers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada decided to move on.
Documents obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act revealed there were delays developing the menu and requests for additional funding.”
Additional funding. What a shock.
…….
“Work on the moveable feast began in December 2006, when the Canadian Space Agency signed its first contract with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to develop "Good Tasting Foods for Space Travellers."
The space agency initially kicked in $65,000, while Agriculture Canada’s contribution was budgeted at almost $350,000. The agency had hoped to have a made-in-Canada space menu ready in two years, approved by NASA, and placed permanently on U.S. flights.
Initially, 11 specially created Canadian food items were proposed — including Bison meat loaf, wild mushroom sauce, vegetable crush, beef and barley soup, and maple cookies.”
……
“But the magic solution to the Canadian government’s $400,000 culinary conundrum? Beef jerky, from Cold Lake, Alta.
"It (was) an easy choice because jerky has an extended duration shelf-life and it also has quite a strong flavour that the astronauts enjoy because some of them experience a decreased taste sensation," Hirsch said.”
I could have done this for less than $400,000–say $350,000, by visiting a local convenience store. I would, of course, expense the mileage. You can have a government job or respect.
Cheerio and ttfn,
Grant Coulson
Cui Bono–Cherchez les Contingencies
