Last Shuttle Lift off. - A gloriouis era is ending.

[Ocean Breeze]

NASA 's final shuttle

an end of one of the most exciting, progressive and high achievement era....

WATCH LIVE: NASA to launch final shuttle at 11:30 ET | The Raw Story

 

[WLDB]

Its about time. Too bad they scrapped the Orion program.

 

[petros]

YouTube - ‪Rush - Countdown with Shuttle Liftoff‬‏

 

[gopher]

Corporations have been given trillions in corporate welfare by every administration since time immemorial. Now that they have these monies, it is their turn to make the investments that create scientific advancements and jobs.

 

[gopher]

Where are the forum's Republicans and Republican wannabes to demand that private industry take over the space program?

 

[cranky]

If this is the last mission, then what? A rocket program?

 

[gopher]

If this is the last mission, then what? A rocket program?

For years libertarians especially used to say the government has no business getting involved in the space program as private industry could do it far better. But where are all those voices today? And where are the Tea Baggers to celebrate the government getting out of this business???

Thanks for all the negative votes Eagle Smack. I'll return the favor.

 

[WLDB]

If this is the last mission, then what? A rocket program?

They had another vehicle in development but its been scrapped because it was too expensive. It'll probably be a long time before the US puts another person in space using their own vehicle. For now they'll piggy back on Russian rockets.

 

[cranky]

They had another vehicle in development but its been scrapped because it was too expensive. It'll probably be a long time before the US puts another person in space using their own vehicle. For now they'll piggy back on Russian rockets.

if that is the case, then why the rush to retire the shuttles?

 

[WLDB]

if that is the case, then why the rush to retire the shuttles?

Its cheaper to buy a train ticket than to own and operate one yourself. The shuttles are pretty old, and as most people know the older the vehicle the more expensive the maintenance costs are. The decision was made shortly after Columbia went down in 03.

 

[ironsides]

They should have had work at least started on the shuttles replacement. Here is a article written in 2004, they could have moved technology ahead a little since then.

And now 9,000+ people are looking for work. (over 300,000 if you count sub contractors)


The Space Shuttle and Its Replacement

 

[cranky]

I would say that maintaining what they have would be cheaper than new. Thats why Canada still has the CF18 program.

 

[petros]

They should have had work at least started on the shuttles replacement. Here is a article written in 2004, they could have moved technology ahead a little since then.

And now 9,000+ people are looking for work. (over 300,000 if you count sub contractors)


The Space Shuttle and Its Replacement

You haven't heard of Project Kramden?

One of these days Alice...one of these days....

Obama Space Pledge: “We Will Send Alice Kramden To The Moon”

CAPE CANAVERAL - President Obama spoke to a group of NASA employees yesterday and used the occasion to reveal new details about his plans for space exploration.

“A long time ago, a rotund Brooklyn bus driver with a heart of gold by the name of Ralph Kramden used to promise his long-suffering wife that he was going to send her to the moon. One of these days, he used to say.”

At this Mr. Obama smiled at Mrs. Kramden, who was seated in the front row.

“Well,” he continued, ”One of these days has finally arrived. Alice, you’re going to the moon!” he shouted, bulging his eyes and shaking a clenched fist in her direction. ”You hear me?” Mr. Obama bellowed. “Bang! Zoom! To the moon!” he shrieked, and thrust his arm toward the sky.

Mrs. Kramden was observed forcefully moving her head from side to side, repeatedly mouthing the word ‘no’ before armed guards dragged her away.

The President said Mrs. Kramden’s lunar mission would show the world that his administration is committed to keeping America in the vanguard of interstellar foolishness.

 

[spaminator]

are there going to be modern shuttles?

 

[Kreskin]

The Shuttle program didn't deliver on its expectations. It was supposed to be a cost efficient means to move cargo but it wasn't cheap or very good at it. Much of the transport was stuff just to sustain the needs of the astronauts.

What imminent demand is there for manned missions? When the first Shuttle went up they debated doing it unmanned. Just about everything is controlled from the ground anyway.

 

[EagleSmack]

The Shuttle program didn't deliver on its expectations..

At all?

 

[WLDB]

Once China really gets its program going that'll probably get the US back in the game in another space race. The Chinese want to put a man on the moon within the decade. Then on to Mars. If they get anywhere close to either it'll wake the US up. Plus Iran, Pakistan and India are working towards putting one of their own into space too.

 

[EagleSmack]

I say let them. We simply don't have the money anymore. It would be nice to do those things but we are broke and can no longer afford them.

 

[Kreskin]

At all?

Perhaps not entirely. However, before the first one was built if they had determined it would cost a billion to reuse one for each flight they may have had second thoughts.

 

[petros]

Rockets are cheap. ESA and Russia especially can do it cheap like borscht.