The Shuttle Program was scheduled to end well before 2011’s final mission. NASA marked that it was finally costing more to maintain the deteriorating fleet than to start anew so it was shut down (it was only suppose to run until the mid-1990s anyways).BUT the plan was to move forward with a replacement (Constellation) that was cancelled by Pres. Obama. NASA’s working on a new program>
BUT this isn’t the first time we’ve been without a space mission – the post Apollo / Skylab period with US manned spaceflight went from 1974-1981.
My understanding is that Carter thought we shouldn’t breach the Heavens and that our place was on Earth (possibly for religious reasons—I’m a little unsure of that) and thus cut NASA funding, figuring we could then focus on the here and now. If true, very foolish and short-sighted IMO.
Sisyphos over 10 years ago
I think shuttle jockey Opus is headed [see what I did there?] for a helmet failure….
jbarr68407 over 10 years ago
…And thanks George W. Bush for killing the Shuttle Program!
Sir Osis of Liver over 10 years ago
The Starchair Enterpoop just got downgraded to Armchair Shuttle…
jrankin1959 over 10 years ago
Oh, PLEASE! TV networks stopped doing “saturation coverage” when the Apollo program ended.
Mugens Premium Member over 10 years ago
Couldn’t have said it better. Kudos….
Timothy Madigan Premium Member over 10 years ago
Actually you ALL are wrong.
The Shuttle Program was scheduled to end well before 2011’s final mission. NASA marked that it was finally costing more to maintain the deteriorating fleet than to start anew so it was shut down (it was only suppose to run until the mid-1990s anyways).BUT the plan was to move forward with a replacement (Constellation) that was cancelled by Pres. Obama. NASA’s working on a new program>
BUT this isn’t the first time we’ve been without a space mission – the post Apollo / Skylab period with US manned spaceflight went from 1974-1981.
dawnsfire over 10 years ago
My understanding is that Carter thought we shouldn’t breach the Heavens and that our place was on Earth (possibly for religious reasons—I’m a little unsure of that) and thus cut NASA funding, figuring we could then focus on the here and now. If true, very foolish and short-sighted IMO.
Druarc over 10 years ago
It’s ok cause china or india will soon have a moon base ;0