Shuttle flights would continue under new proposal

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

WASHINGTON — The space shuttle era could get a new lease on life under a bill filed today by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas.

The measure would delay the shuttle’s planned retirement in 2010 until NASA is confident that a replacement spacecraft is ready or that the shuttle and its massive payload bay is no longer needed to keep the International Space Station afloat through 2020.

The 37-page bill also authorizes an additional $1.3 billion in NASA spending next year above President Barack Obama’s request of $19 billion. The extra money would help prepare NASA for as many as two additional shuttle flights per year after 2010, as well as fund new spacecraft development.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_poli...w-proposal.html

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I think we should continue the program until we have another way into space.

[Peikko 1,575]

I think we should continue the program until we have another way into space.

I agree, if the money can be found.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

I agree, if the money can be found.

We have $0 for anything, let alone a space program....

NASA should be privatized if anything!

[The_Dude 1,142]

We have $0 for anything, let alone a space program....

NASA should be privatized if anything!

NASA should be privatized if the goal of the department were to cut costs. But as it is, the goal is innovation and discovery....... Not entirely within the realm of industry.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

NASA should be privatized if the goal of the department were to cut costs. But as it is, the goal is innovation and discovery....... Not entirely within the realm of industry.

I will accept the discovery part, but all that "innovation" came from the aerospace industry, not NASA.

[Peikko 1,575]

Pedantic now Mr Ranger. The 'aerospace' industry would not have existed if there were no NASA.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Pedantic now Mr Ranger. The 'aerospace' industry would not have existed if there were no NASA.

There were aircraft before there was NASA.

[Peikko 1,575]

Of course, but there have been many innovations that are directly related to the problems of space flight that would never have been encountered with a terrestrial only program.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Of course, but there have been many innovations that are directly related to the problems of space flight that would never have been encountered with a terrestrial only program.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Of course, but there have been many innovations that are directly related to the problems of space flight that would never have been encountered with a terrestrial only program.

So, without NASA, that wouldn't have happened? Then I guess you would say that without Nazi Germany, there wouldn't have been rocket scientists and jet aircraft.

[Peikko 1,575]

So, without NASA, that wouldn't have happened? Then I guess you would say that without Nazi Germany, there wouldn't have been rocket scientists and jet aircraft.

Without a space program they couldn't have happend, no. Space is a completely different environment. As to the Nazi Germany/rocket science jet aircraft hypothesis - I don't know. I expect it would have happened, but perhaps without the urgency. After all, scientists investigate what they investigate and the military make use of these inovations if they can.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Without a space program they couldn't have happend, no. Space is a completely different environment. As to the Nazi Germany/rocket science jet aircraft hypothesis - I don't know. I expect it would have happened, but perhaps without the urgency. After all, scientists investigate what they investigate and the military make use of these inovations if they can.

I think you would be quite surprised how much of what you think of as space exploration is driven by industry, and not by NASA per se.

http://www.bts.gov/publications/national_t...able_01_36.html

[Peikko 1,575]

Hey, your're right, government should never be involved in such nefarious matters. Let's stop government involvement in anything other than warfare.

Edited March 4, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Hey, your're right, government should never be involved in such nefarious matters. Let's stop with allowing the government to be involved in anything other than warfare.

Now, who is being silly! I was just demonstrating where the innovation comes from, not who is creating the need.