Obama nixes NASA's Constellation program

**T-Bird76** · 02-01-2010, 04:23 PM

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/02/ ... ssentially

This will now lead U.S manned space flights to replace the Shuttle to be delayed even further. While the Constellation program may not have been the most practical program it was under development and in progress. We are left with nothing to replace the Shuttle and we'll have to rely on the Russians to provide us manned lift into space. This is very disappointing... The U.S was the leader in space but sadly we have lost our passion of moving man forward in space and enjoying the benefits that space exploration has on our society.

**Matt Molnar** · 02-01-2010, 04:24 PM

But at least we'll have health care! Oh, right...

**hiss srq** · 02-01-2010, 04:27 PM

For a leader so intent on making America #1 again in all aspects this dim wit sure does know how to put us in the spectator seat. The NASA and our spaceflight programs have always been motors for private industry through development of new technology etc. and for as much as Obama claims "jobs jobs jobs" it seems like this ass is doing more to stifle our ability as a nation and individuals all around to be individually successful. It is a shame. Lets just all get our kneepads on for Russia, China and Europe now. Because we are pretty much assuming the position as it is.

**Derf** · 02-01-2010, 04:32 PM

OMG! :evil:

**PhilDernerJr** · 02-01-2010, 05:24 PM

The space program is not just about doing cool things by going into space or to the moon. It is what will ensure that our nation is in the lead in terms of technology and military. I'm not into sci-fi, but space truly is the final frontier, and sitting back and letting the Russians or Chinese pass up by on this will demote our nation over the next 50 years. This is huge, and to me, Obama's biggest failure yet if NASA takes the cuts that are expected.

**Gerard** · 02-01-2010, 07:48 PM

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politic ... missi.html

While he does want to scrap Ares 1 and Constellation projects he is also proposing that NASA work with private
industry to develop a commercial space transportation industry, essentially having NASA astronauts be shuttled
to the space station by private firms.
He is facing a huge battle in Texas and Florida over this.

**Matt Molnar** · 02-01-2010, 07:58 PM

It might not be so bad, and it actually isn't Obama's fault. There have been several years of underfunding and lack of leadership. The shuttle replacement process started way too late. Constellation is not a great design, and it was underfunded to begin with. We're already resigned to relying on the Russians for transport to the ISS for at least a few years. There are not a lot of great options. NASA is actually getting a $6 billion INCREASE over this year.

The main difference will be space crews of the future will be employees of private companies flying privately-owned spacecraft contracted by NASA. Ideally this will mean more important decisions being made by NASA folks who know what they're doing as opposed to the current system where influence is held by politicians whose main objective is to inject pork into their home state.

Of course those congressmen are not going to give this up without a fight, so we'll see what happens.

**hiss srq** · 02-01-2010, 08:08 PM

While that is heartening and informative Matt I still feel like if we were to start creating bidding wars on our space program for the operation of it we would than increasingly shortchange our ability to operate because private companies are obviously going to operate on a tighter budget than NASA. When NASA runs over on a program they get the money. My fear is that the privitazation of NASA space flight for man would lead to even more unscrupulous practices and decisions that might potentially undercut safety even furthur than NASA has in past. Frankly, the space program needs a total overhall within the walls of NASA though and while maintaining an active program. By killing our current agenda without a solid already in place game plan we are reverting back to the mid 50's all over again.

**Tom_Turner** · 02-01-2010, 10:05 PM

This is not a surprise.

Why go into space when you can go into Iraq and Afghanistan instead?

The good news is President Acorn is now embracing Nuclear Energy.

Lets hope the dollar does not collapse in the meantime....

**NIKV69** · 02-01-2010, 10:26 PM

The good news is President Acorn is now embracing Nuclear Energy

Simple empty rhetoric, I agree it's a great idea but no state wants it on their land. It's too much of a risk in case of worst case disaster. If that was not the case LI would be the richest area in the world and our taxes would be nothing.

**Idlewild** · 02-01-2010, 11:07 PM

The Constellation project was doomed from the start. The design wasn't really anything new, and the economy was beginning to spiral downhill. China, Russia, India and everyone else aren't going anywhere else either...they're having the same problems with cash like us and willl be stuck with satellite launches and a few manned missions in orbit. Even if one of them does reach the moon, it's still forty years later than us. My gut feeling tells me that if we want to do manned, interplanetary exploration, then nations will have to pool money to cover costs. Meanwhile, if NASA was smart, they'd work with Burt Rutan. NASA could also get cracking on SST projects as well. If they can come up with the Aircraft of the Impossible: fast, economical and clean, they would make their money back in spades.

**PhilDernerJr** · 02-01-2010, 11:16 PM

We still need to take the space program very seriously.

**Midnight Mike** · 02-02-2010, 07:59 AM

And, President Obama wants NASA to start paying more attention to Global Warming research! Getting to the moon is the first step with getting to mars & others.....

**Idlewild** · 02-02-2010, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by NIKV69

The good news is President Acorn is now embracing Nuclear Energy

Simple empty rhetoric, I agree it's a great idea but no state wants it on their land. It's too much of a risk in case of worst case disaster. If that was not the case LI would be the richest area in the world and our taxes would be nothing.

As an aside from NASA, I'm surprised about his nuclear energy policy. I remember reading about how 95 sq miles worth of desert could be transformed into one big solar panel field, which would easily power all of our nation's energy needs with plenty of reserve. I'd certainly be for that. It would also get California some much needed revenue. Certainly JFK Airport has proved one can supply at least a 1/3 of its energy requirements through waste management.

**Mayi757** · 02-03-2010, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Idlewild

I remember reading about how 95 sq miles worth of desert could be transformed into one big solar panel field, which would easily power all of our nation's energy needs with plenty of reserve. I'd certainly be for that. It would also get California some much needed revenue. Certainly JFK Airport has proved one can supply at least a 1/3 of its energy requirements through waste management.

I'd honestly take that before throwing any more money at NASA right now. Let the Russians and the Chinese spend some money on space exploration if they want to.. Spain already has a city powered by this stuff, why can't we? While launching satellites, etc is important a lot of the stuff like continuing to find clues of intelligent life (that might not be there), space tests, and learning so much about other planets is nice, but do not really benefit us much down here right now, especially considering the amount of $ spent.

Now, if he would also cut all the funds going to "fight global warming"...