Topic: NASA manager says Shuttle Extension Possible; Key Issue Is Money not Safety

[sam]

NASA Shuttle program manager John Shannon said on Tuesday (Mar 9) that the Space Shuttle Program can indeed be safely extended beyond the existing plan to retire the fleet after completing the four missions currently remaining to fly by the end of 2010. The key issue now is money not safety.

http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/10/nasa-manager-says-shuttle-extension-possible-key-issue-is-money-not-safety/

[Simon]

How do they raise money, if it doesn't come from the state?

[sam]

they can't... they need the Federal Government to pay.

[Simon]

But he won't, will he?

[sam]

I'd doubt it. Though there was discussion that the only reason he cancelled constellation was cause it sounded crap and wasn't going to get anywhere near the aims. They are probably right and a new plan was needed, better change it now than in 10 years after billions of dollars and no progress. Maybe an increase in shuttle funding would help? Something has to happen otherwise the yanks will be struggling. I just can't believe the interest isn't there.

[Simon]

Perhaps he just feels he needs to be seen to be concentrating on matters closer to home, during a world recession? 

[Clive]

He's short sightedness will send America back to the Dark Ages and threaten its national security.  He has turned his back on the UK and is now cosying up to the Russians and Far East.  He is America's biggest blunder. 

[sam]

Yes, bit concerning.

Perhaps he just feels he needs to be seen to be concentrating on matters closer to home, during a world recession?

Well... NASA and related projects brings jobs and industrial development. R & D like that done by NASA is great for an economy, especially during a recession - its needs a way out and this is it (the again my biased opinion is probably going to say that). National projects bring people together in tough times, well so I'm told. I do feel however, that though I don't believe space should be commercialised, commercial companies working on space exploration would drive prices down. A international regulatory body of scientists could oversee it and job done cheap space flight.