Presidency slashes the constelation program- no alternatives in sight at ALL.

[Pilotasso]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35209628

 

This news is a week old but I saw it just now.

 

This is very sad. US president brings an axe down on a program nearing entry to service. After 9 billion invested the Ares rockets will never fly again putting an end to the shuttles successor wich will also be retired, shifting the focus for non existing private alternatives. So in 2011 NASA will have no manned craft left, and private companies will take NASA's training wheels for learning this stuff from scratch. The moon settlement also was scrapped.

 

This is a huge setback, probably delaying manned space exploration by decades. Many probably dont see the benifits of space exploration, but as I see it it would engage many nations on common goals (even if that goal is in the long term only) wich would benifit us all in terms of technology, education, scientific man power and ultimatly shape the society which our kids will live on.

 

I guess the society needs more encyclopedia salesmen, or truckers than scientists in this overpopulated overpoluted changing world :)

 

Also breaks my heart for seeing long distance exploration delayed, perhaps long enough for preventing me someday seeing science fiction become reality still in my life time.

 

Disgusted.

Edited March 9, 2010 by Pilotasso

[topol-m]

Also breaks my heart for seeing long distance exploration delayed, perhaps long enough for preventing me someday seeing science fiction become reality still in my life time.

 

Disgusted.

 

Kind of feel the same after reading the article. Bad news :(

[Ramstein]

I suppose we can't say certain things in here,, but I hope I can say, the citizens who voted for hope and change... how's that been going for you?

:cry:

Edited March 10, 2010 by Groove
Changed the insulting part of the post.

[SuperKungFu]

I know the Space Shuttle is suppose to retire this year but I heard due to this cancellation, they will extend to space shuttle till 2020?

[Pilotasso]

Nope...no changes for the shuttle retirment, so if Im interpreting right, there will be no manned space craft flying out of the US, only Europe, russia and possibly china.

[Antartis]

Yes, it's a shame. The aerospace program now is simply the shadow of the old Nasa...:(

[SuperKungFu]

I heard from a pretty reliable source from NASA (who ranks pretty high up there) said the announcement regarding the extension of the Shuttle Program would come soon- we'll see if that's true or not. Otherwise America would have to literally buy tickets for our astronauts to get a ride from Russia or China...etc. Which I think would be pretty embarrassing so that is why they are talking about getting the shuttle a few more years of service.

Edited March 9, 2010 by SuperKungFu

[Pilotasso]

But the shuttle launches are much more expensive than the Ares rockets and with less payload capability...go figure... :huh:

 

On another note: wasnt the shuttle reported not to be the safest platform anymore?

Edited March 9, 2010 by Pilotasso

[GGTharos]

Like there isn't enough things to invest money into here on earth? The unfortunate truth is that there is a pretty tight economic situation, and right now, putting people in space isn't going to help do anything about it.

 

I like space exploration but this was the correct decision - for now, that money is needed elsewhere. Other agencies have to pick up the slack here for the time being. After the economy comes back onto its feet, it'll be time to take the lead once again.

 

I suppose we can't say certain things in here,, but I hope I can say, the idiots who voted for hope and change... how's that been going for you?

:cry:

[Pilotasso]

If you read the article completely, NASA budget actualy was increased. The extra money was diverted to weather programs at the same time constellation was axed. I question it because we are all going to re discover what those programs are aiming at: that carbon levels are rising, ocean acidity is rising, and average temperatures also rising, climate changes, so while we are wasting these rather redudant endeavors we are losing time to develop alternatives to oil. Wich incidentaly would benefit from the recycling and cleaner fuel synthesis technology being researched for the canceled programs.

Edited March 9, 2010 by Pilotasso

[Case]

To be honest, the Space Shuttle program hasn't delivered what it was designed for back in the 70's. The program would only be worthwhile if Shuttles could be launched on at least a monthly basis, a thing that never materialized. Furthermore, the International Space Station would be doing science with at least a 6 person crew, something that did not happen until a year ago. Until that time, all astronauts on board were too busy keeping the station alive. On the other hand, the Constellation program wasn't supported the way it should to make it successful.

 

All these things ate up the NASA budget on scientific missions. Scientific satellites already in space and doing excellent science had their budget cut to or even missions got ended due to budget constraints.

 

Don't get me wrong, human spaceflight is great, but I believe NASA was using the wrong tools for it. The problem is not Obama cancelling the Constellation program, but previous presidencies not thinking of the future earlier.

[Scudslaker]

Things change, but i think it is an interesting situation and i m really excited how things will go on. Well for me it s open what China will do within next 20 years,..

but back to the Shuttles, as we know, the main problem is the old technology used for the avionics, actually i thought they even have problems to get spare parts for the systems memory and it is to expensive to dissassemble the Shuttles after every flight to prevent system failures...

 

The cold war is over and here we can see that the project was just one more instrument, to show the US is dominating technology as world leader.

 

 

But as told, things change and that is really exciting!

[Feuerfalke]

IMHO NASA just had the problem of most larger organizations: The head grows larger than the rest of the body. To many thoughts about prestige and to little about what is really needed.

 

Considering how east and west have become friends, they should increase their teamwork. Instead of following their own alternatives USA, Europe and Russia should coordinate their efforts better than before. They have similar approaches anyway, considering systems like the Hermes-glider for example and Russias renown space-city-facilities.

 

Let's face it: To overcome todays challenges, we have to unite our efforts.

 

 

As to China, well, I'm not convinced they will reach their advanced space-age shortly. They have the manpower and the technology, but they think even more territorial than the former east and west rivals and they're sinking deeper into depts, surpassing all other countries in this years financial plans by far already. They can't go on with this forever.

[Groove]

Im with GG on this one. Let the Russians and Chinese bring people to the orbit and let the NASA concentrate on earth-bound research like weather prognosis.

 

We ain't in no Cold-War anymore! I don't understand why it would be embarassing to "buy tickets" for US astronauts when we have on INTERNATIONAL Space Station up there...

[Pilotasso]

Im afraid the weather, and the carbon monitors are here just for US strategical interests. This ressurrection of the carbon program is not innocent. Compenhaggem summit was shafted by US and china, and I think if the US can prove that china is now the main carbon emmiter the Americans will have a leverage in carbon emmission rights. Theres billions in stake in this sector.

 

As for the rest, the costellation program, would allow to pay itself after just few flights as they cost a fraction of the space shuttle, so again I think its Ironic Obama dubbed the constellation program lacking in innovation when they will be forced to support the shuttle for longer, and that one is the one thats obsolete and expesnive to maintain.

 

I think its mistake to go private for sending astronauts up. This sector is not ready and wont be for a while.

Worse I doubt they will be able to do it better, cleaner or cheaper than NASA could do with ARES, and those will have to add profit margins on the bills charged to NASA (and ultimatly the tax payers).

[Case]

As for the rest, the costellation program, would allow to pay itself after just few flights as they cost a fraction of the space shuttle, so again I think its Ironic Obama dubbed the constellation program lacking in innovation when they will be forced to support the shuttle for longer, and that one is the one thats obsolete and expesnive to maintain.

Obama is not forcing anyone to support the Shuttle for longer...

 

Worse I doubt they will be able to do it better, cleaner or cheaper than NASA could do with ARES, and those will have to add profit margins on the bills charged to NASA (and ultimatly the tax payers).

The EELV program has given the US Delta and Atlas which have proven themselves already, there is no need for Ares rockets.

[Pilotasso]

Well, correct me if Im mistakened but the ARES was the only one of those you mentioned that can take astronauts. ARES V could take more payload than the SATURN V Rockets. ;) In order to take that much load you would have to launch the shuttle 9 times. Cant even remember how many DELTAS and ATLAS that would take.

 

 

ABout the shuttle, you will be surprised soon. Its service will be extended, 2 billion per launch... Just watch. :)

Edited March 10, 2010 by Pilotasso

[Case]

Well, correct me if Im mistakened but the ARES was the only one of those you mentioned that can take astronauts. ARES V could take more payload that the SATURN V Rockets. ;)

Ares was supposed to take astronauts, and it was designed for that. However, I always wondered if Atlas and/or Delta rockets could not be redesigned to get human rated.

 

About the shuttle, you will be surprised soon. Its service will be extended, 2 billion per launch... Just watch. :)

I would be very surprised if they'd do that, but I'd love to see the Shuttle around for much longer. My reasoning against it is that parts of the Shuttle program have been dismantled (like LC-39B), pilots are no longer trained, money is spent elsewhere and that the remaining Shuttle flights are only used to get the last pieces to the ISS. After that, NASA can save 2 billion per launch and spend it on buying seats on Soyuz rockets, developing existing technology and get the ISS going.

[Pilotasso]

Ares was supposed to take astronauts, and it was designed for that. However, I always wondered if Atlas and/or Delta rockets could not be redesigned to get human rated.

 

 

Since OBAMA already shafted NASA's capability to send astronauts after the shuttle is retired, then it is irrelevant to think about modifying ATLAS or DELTA's.

 

Going private was going to happen anyway but damn its too soon, and has not even been planned in advance for this realisticaly in any measurable capacity anytime soon but touristic joyrides 60 miles up in the atmosphere.

 

I would be very surprised if they'd do that' date=' but I'd love to see the Shuttle around for much longer. My reasoning against it is that parts of the Shuttle program have been dismantled (like LC-39B), pilots are no longer trained, money is spent elsewhere and that the remaining Shuttle flights are only used to get the last pieces to the ISS. After that, NASA can save 2 billion per launch and spend it on buying seats on Soyuz rockets, developing existing technology and get the ISS going.[/quote']

 

They will and you pretty much answered yourself as to why.

Edited March 10, 2010 by Pilotasso

[Case]

They will and you pretty much answered yourself as to why.

You and your everlasting tendency to misread anything anyone says... :dontgetit:

[jpm1]

what scares me a bit it's that the US which always have been the leader in space exploration stop the project . but i think Obama regarding the country debt didn't had the choice and , as it has been said before , we think of exploring outer space and in the same time we aren't enable to care of our home :music_whistling: . USA as a young country always approached things without fear . in Europe sometimes it seems we suffer the life like if we were prisoners of our history ; the USA aren't scared of failing that's why i always had respect and admiration for them .

you see i' french and in France during the last two decades we only heard of pragmatism work , make money for your country , make your country become rich . Pragmatism isn't a bad thing but all the time it's exausting believe me . before 1986 date where the RMI (France minimal social survival rent) was born the only way to survive was to work . my father worked all his life like a workhorse he never stole a cent and he died of alcoolism in undescriptible sufferings , i don't want to annoy you with my private life but how many were like him , don't know about you , but i saw a lot myself :cry: . what i'm trying to say it's that working to make it's country become rich isn't a bad thing but we should be able to dream sometimes .. let's just hope our nowadays financial setbacks won't lead to another gloomy era

[Pilotasso]

The funny thing is that OBAMA didnt cut the budget, overal the budget was actualy increased but for different things. Its not the first time. At the same time F-22 production was axed, the black programs had their funds increased. So, where the hell is that money going to and what is he up to? Surely not to save the deficit! :)

[Krippz]

Guys let's not act like "Chicken Little" the fact of the matter is that we (the United States of America) have already been to the moon; what is there to be accomplished be reliving the same achievement decades later? The President made the right decision; NASA gets more funding and money is spent wisely. NASA has had a poor grasp on it's budget for years and has had cost overruns on just about every project.

 

Take your time NASA, innovate, get a handle on spending and aim for Mars!

[concrete]

it is because of aliens :alien::, there are out there...:censored: whe shouldn't see them :huh:

so there is no moon landing, no internacional space station anymore, no habl teleskop, no shutle...:fear:

[Wilde]

Well, sad for everyone with an interest in science and space. But to be realistic, we can be thankful that the US and others have done so many missions as of now. Considering they started it only to pretend to be cooler than Soviet Russia that is... ;)

 

Now they over-stretched their economical capabilities to a degree that they can't afford it any longer. A setback for scientists and science enthusiasts all over the world. But they need get their stuff back on track in America. Also maybe this is the start to a corporation called "Weyland-Yutani Corp"? :P