http://www.sabresjunkie.com/forum/

Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
http://www.sabresjunkie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1937		 Page 1 of 4
Author:  Crosscheck [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:40 am ]
Post subject:  Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
We're scratching the constellation program...not going to the moon again..
There are now no plans to replace the retiring shuttle fleet.

We're going to extend the life of the ISS for 5 years (whoopdiedoo) while relying on the Russians and so far un-built, untested commercial launchers to get our astronauts there.
Why even bother?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35131431/ns ... nce-space/

We've got BILLIONS for AIG, stimulus, GM etc. but the tank runs dry when it comes to manned space flight.

I seem to remember Obama saying something about not wanting America to be #2 in his State of the Union address.
So much for that.

Quote:
"replacing lost shuttle jobs in Florida too slowly, risking U.S. leadership in space to China and Russia, and relying too heavily on unproven commercial companies."

“If the $6 billion in extra funding is for a commercial rocket, then the bigger rocket for human exploration will be delayed well into the next decade. That is unacceptable," Nelson said. “We need a plan that provides America with uninterrupted access to space while also funding exploration to expand the boundaries of our knowledge.”

In a statement, Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D-Fla., said, “The president’s proposal would leave NASA with essentially no program and no timeline for exploration beyond Earth’s orbit.”

Quote:
If Obama does cancel the Constellation program, it “leaves NASA and the nation with no program, no plan and no commitment to any human spaceflight program beyond that of today,” former NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said in a statement.

Griffin said this would be tantamount to recommending “that the nation abandon its leadership on the space frontier.”
Author:  PuckSniperPensel [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
Our political system sucks.
Author:  Crosscheck [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
PuckSniperPensel wrote:
Our political system sucks.

This is an executive decision.
Author:  Godzilla1960 [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
I know you are looking for every possible way to criticize the president, Cross, but Project Constellation was never a well thought out or well funded project.

Bush came up with it in 2004 when he was under increasing criticism for his failures in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even at the time I thought it had the smell of bait and switch. Just like the No Child Left Behind Act, it turned out to be more talk than actual action (i.e. sufficient funding).

I am a strong supporter of the space program and think that we should build bases on the moon and begin exploring the other planets in the solar system. Personally, I would say damn the critics and fully fund a project to put people on Mars. Sadly, there is no political support for such projects outside of a few districts in Florida and Texas, where the space program is essential for jobs.

Obama is currently recommending an additional $6 billion for the NASA budget.

However, had he decided to fund Project Constellation ($104 billion) I have a feeling that we would have seen a thread about how irresponsible the president was acting in a time of dire budgetary need, when so many Americans are out of work.

;)
Author:  Rutledge222 [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
mmm death by meteor seems much more realistic now... Oh and Star Trek Will no longer exist :P lol
Author:  Crosscheck [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
Godzilla1960 wrote:

Obama is currently recommending an additional $6 billion for the NASA budget.

So we can get rides to the ISS....waste of money
Quote:
However, had he decided to fund Project Constellation ($104 billion) I have a feeling that we would have seen a thread about how irresponsible the president was acting in a time of dire budgetary need, when so many Americans are out of work.

;)

Did you miss my comment about Obama wasting BILLIONS on AIG and GM?
Your president put his wall street buddies above all else when it comes to budgetary concerns. I would have loved to see him spend that wasted money on any manned space program.
Author:  NYIntensity [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
Isn't it widely accepted that commercial efforts are MUCH more efficient than NASA anyways? I don't see a big loss. NASA was our dick to swing 40 years ago...
Author:  Crosscheck [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
NYIntensity wrote:
Isn't it widely accepted that commercial efforts are MUCH more efficient than NASA anyways?

Gee, I don't know. Show me how much it costs a private company to get to the ISS.

Oh...you can't, because there is no such company.
Private companies can't even get out of low earth orbit.
Author:  NYIntensity [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
Crosscheck wrote:
NYIntensity wrote:
Isn't it widely accepted that commercial efforts are MUCH more efficient than NASA anyways?

Gee, I don't know. Show me how much it costs a private company to get to the ISS.

Oh...you can't, because there is no such company.
Private companies can't even get out of low earth orbit.

Post the whole argument XC....they can't get out of low earth orbit because of regulations, it has nothing to do with their abilities...they're simply not ALLOWED.
Author:  Crosscheck [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
NYIntensity wrote:
Post the whole argument XC....they can't get out of low earth orbit because of regulations, it has nothing to do with their abilities...they're simply not ALLOWED.

Who has a vehicle capable of anything else?
Who is developing it?

We, as a country, have thrown our lot in with technology that doesn't exist.
It doesn't matter why it doesn't exist.
Author:  ironyisadeadscene [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
wasting billions on GM? thank god for that, its given my region a new lease on life thats actually improving detroit, albeit slightly.
Author:  Crosscheck [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
ironyisadeadscene wrote:
wasting billions on GM? thank god for that, its given my region a new lease on life thats actually improving detroit, albeit slightly.

Screw GM

Ford posts $2.7 BILLION profit

Why should a company that sucks get a bailout when another in the same industry is fine?

Why should *your* region get help above any other?

Screw GM
Author:  NYIntensity [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
Crosscheck wrote:
We, as a country, have thrown our lot in with technology that doesn't exist.
It doesn't matter why it doesn't exist.

I'm going to have to ask for an explanation of that.

Just look at the design of the space shuttle...it hasn't really changed in HOW MANY years? I guess my argument that while NASA may be the only ones to do it right now, it's because they're the only ones allowed to... it's like Ford making the first vehicle...it doesn't mean they made the best one. I recognize the pure science behind NASA is something to be marveled at, and that there are hundreds, if not thousands if items that are "everyday" technology now thanks to NASA. I just see it as horribly inefficient. There have been 30 attempted Mars missons, with only 9 of them making it into orbit, and only 6 of them actually landing.

With no changes to the shuttle, I just would like to see something a bit more "fruitful" if you will...perhaps research into the space elevator?
Author:  NYIntensity [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
Crosscheck wrote:
ironyisadeadscene wrote:
wasting billions on GM? thank god for that, its given my region a new lease on life thats actually improving detroit, albeit slightly.

Screw GM

Ford posts $2.7 BILLION profit

Why should a company that sucks get a bailout when another in the same industry is fine?

Why should *your* region get help above any other?

Screw GM

+1. If your company fails, FUCK YOU. It was YOUR business model that failed, and NOBODY is required to bring your ass back up to par. Find a new job.
Author:  Godzilla1960 [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
Crosscheck wrote:
Your president...

Unless you are revoking your citizenship, he is your president, too.
Author:  ironyisadeadscene [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
ford is not fine, they almost bit the bullet a few years ago. the whole premise is its government owned till someone else can buy it, or whatever.. the government isnt going to own it forever.

just as well, ford isnt as prominent here as GM. yeah, we have the headquarters and proving grounds (not far from me, by the way) and a few factories, but not nearly like GM. not even a fraction as close. if it was ford dying, which they almost did, it wouldnt be nearly as big a deal.

and, of course, if the shoe was on the other foot, and it was saving your home, youd probably feel differently about it.
Author:  Crosscheck [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
Godzilla1960 wrote:
Crosscheck wrote:
Your president...

Unless you are revoking your citizenship, he is your president, too.


Fine, the President you put in office that prefers to give my money to wall street instead of NASA.
Author:  PuckSniperPensel [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
Crosscheck wrote:
PuckSniperPensel wrote:
Our political system sucks.

This is an executive decision.


Exactly why our political system sucks.
Author:  NYIntensity [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
ironyisadeadscene wrote:
and, of course, if the shoe was on the other foot, and it was saving your home, youd probably feel differently about it.

Psst...Mike.... we're from Buffalo...in the late 50s and 60s Buffalo didn't get a "bailout" for the jobs of factory workers that were lost due to automation...and sure as shit weren't bailed out when the steel mills went to Japan ala the last great democrat in office...
Author:  Squanto [ Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Obama kills constellation program and US space independence
Our political system may have it's flaws, but in thousands of years, it's the best one anyone has come up with so far.
Page 1 of 4 All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/