Space shuttle program extended

Pazuzu · 07-01-2010, 09:38 AM

until at least spring:
NASA delays end of space shuttle program to 2011 | Top AP Stories | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

I wouldn't be surprised if it goes even longer, if the pressure stays on the administration.

phoenix_iii · 07-01-2010, 09:47 AM

Why are they shutting it down to begin with?

Pazuzu · 07-01-2010, 09:52 AM

1) It's old
2) Obama hates NASA. No, not really, but he hates funding it.

They had a replacement program going, but the shuttles were going to be mothballed years before the replacement could be built. Now, they've cut most of the funding for the replacement program. We were going to be left with riding shotgun in Russian capsules to get people to the space station.

It also stems from the bush administrations effort to put a man on Mars, so they started pulling funds from the shuttle to fund the new program Constellation, which would also be part of the shuttle replacement program.

Basically, NASA is getting cut off at the knees from every direction, and can't maintain a fleet of 30 year old space jalopies.

enzo1 · 07-01-2010, 10:08 AM

good to hear!

Jim Richards · 07-01-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

2) Obama hates NASA. No, not really, but he hates funding it.

Except their funding increased.

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/420990main_FY_201_%20Budget_Overview_1_Feb_2010.pd f

Pazuzu · 07-01-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Except their funding increased.

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/420990main_FY_201_%20Budget_Overview_1_Feb_2010.pd f

And? I see tiny incremental changes to their total funding, all while they plan to make entire new programs. Anyone wanna vote on how that's gonna work out for them?

They need massive funding changes, like 50% or more. Or they need to shut down completely.

Jim Richards · 07-01-2010, 10:28 AM

Wow, you're an expert on how their FY2010 and beyond programs are going to work out. They could really use you to run NASA.

mikester · 07-01-2010, 10:32 AM

This really isn't an 'extension' of the program as no new launches are publicly planned.

they are simply rescheduling these last two launches for a later time date which happens to move the end of the program into next year.

The shuttles are old but they are not past their serviceable lifespan but the vendors that have built most of the components are long gone.

My personal feeling is that the shuttle is a very viable mode of transportation, we should be using it as a model and not abandoning entirely.

Can you imagine the United States of America without a premier space program? This 'depression' is causing us to have to make tough choices - taking away the dreams of a generation is not a choice I would want to make. The space program is essential to our continued innovation - we have gained too much - alternative energy has gained two much (uh, Hydrogen fuel cells?) for us to allow this program to be cast away.

Joeaksa · 07-01-2010, 11:13 AM

Sure hope that they really do extend the program. We have no replacements and no plan. Why in the world are they doing this?

Pazuzu · 07-01-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Wow, you're an expert on how their FY2010 and beyond programs are going to work out. They could really use you to run NASA.

I see we agree afterall!

Jim Richards · 07-01-2010, 11:15 AM

Pazuzu · 07-01-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikester

Can you imagine the United States of America without a premier space program? This 'depression' is causing us to have to make tough choices - taking away the dreams of a generation is not a choice I would want to make. The space program is essential to our continued innovation - we have gained too much - alternative energy has gained two much (uh, Hydrogen fuel cells?) for us to allow this program to be cast away.

The space programs are still intact, and will get the funding that went to the shuttle and Constellation (well, except for the billions going into shutting the program down...). The funding will get redirected to their satellite programs, their science programs, and their education programs. Also, a massive amount of NASA money goes to grants for researches and astronomers across the country working at various labs and universities, all of that funding should be intact.

Pazuzu · 07-01-2010, 11:19 AM

The other, less talked about reason that the shuttle is being mothballed is that it would cost too much money to retrofit the seats. Americans are now fat, than that includes the astronauts. They simply cannot fit in the seats or through the airlocks anymore.

Jim Richards · 07-01-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Sure hope that they really do extend the program. We have no replacements and no plan. Why in the world are they doing this?

I think they want to move the ISS-related cargo & crew delivery missions to the private sector (NASA's tossing money their way), and then develop new technical capabilities to enable future manned exploration to other solar system bodies (e.g., Moon, asteroids, eventually Mars).

Jim Richards · 07-01-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

The other, less talked about reason that the shuttle is being mothballed is that it would cost too much money to retrofit the seats. Americans are now fat, than that includes the astronauts. They simply cannot fit in the seats or through the airlocks anymore.

I heard one of the networks is going to do a reality show where fat astronauts burst their pressure suits during EVAs.

Pazuzu · 07-01-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

I think they want to move the ISS-related cargo & crew delivery missions to the private sector (NASA's tossing money their way), and then develop new technical capabilities to enable future manned exploration to other solar system bodies (e.g., Moon, asteroids, eventually Mars).

Basically, yes. It's interesting though how they are all but hanging their basket on the private industry, when they were dismissing them as useless a few years ago. SpaceX and the others asked NASA to contribute long ago, and NASA told them to get lost.

The actions and decisions of NASA are very intimately related to the current administrator. They've had some very good ones, and some VERY bad ones (coughcoughGOLDINcough).

TechnoViking · TechnoViking's Garage

I question the ROI of the entire space program. Can anyone explain why we need space shuttles? The rest of the planet seems to be getting along fine without them.

Joeaksa · 07-01-2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Smith

I question the ROI of the entire space program. Can anyone explain why we need space shuttles? The rest of the planet seems to be getting along fine without them.

If you want to go that route, please also question the ROI on welfare, "pork" added to almost any bill, and especially the ROI on our retired reps having a full retirement and health care, with YOU and I paying for it.

Joe A

PS next time you need a GPS to get around, thank the space program. Next time you get a weather forcast that allows you to move out of harms way, thank the space program. Next time some intel is gathered using satellites that keeps our country from being harmed or citizens, thank the space program.

The benefits are endless, yet we always seem to have people that use and want the system but do not want to pay for it. Please return to your cave...

Zeke · 07-01-2010, 12:50 PM

I have wondered about the space station. We put a lot of effort and money along with our partners and then we back off. Do I want to depend on Russia to get our guys down?

onewhippedpuppy · 07-01-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

I question the ROI of the entire space program. Can anyone explain why we need space shuttles? The rest of the planet seems to be getting along fine without them.

Some of the more significant technological improvements from the last few decades perhaps? The answer is as near as Google. Considering that NASA is budget dust in the grand scheme of our national budget, the ROI is frankly spectacular.