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.”