OT: 2010 could be end of space shuttle era

[partypup]

I wasn’t sure if I was reading this correctly at first, but it really seems to be the case: this is the end of America’s era in space. I can’t believe this isn’t making huge news. Strangely, no mention is made in this article of the reason for the program’s termination. But I think we all know what’s really happening here. This is one of the most vivid and dramatic signs yet of the death of the dollar and the American Empire. The loss of jobs will be massive, but the symbolism even greater.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/science/space/article976256.ece

[golfproz]

This isn’t news. They’ve been planning to retire the shuttles for years. The reasons are many, cost, safety and the fact they are now dinosaurs full of 1970’s technology to name a few. The replacement is in the works. Unfortunately its a giant step backwards instead of forwards. We are going back to capsules, a man in a can……

[golfproz]

This isn’t news. They’ve been planning to retire the shuttles for years. The reasons are many, cost, safety and the fact they are now dinosaurs full of 1970’s technology to name a few. The replacement is in the works. Unfortunately its a giant step backwards instead of forwards. We are going back to capsules, a man in a can……

[golfproz]

This isn’t news. They’ve been planning to retire the shuttles for years. The reasons are many, cost, safety and the fact they are now dinosaurs full of 1970’s technology to name a few. The replacement is in the works. Unfortunately its a giant step backwards instead of forwards. We are going back to capsules, a man in a can……

[golfproz]

This isn’t news. They’ve been planning to retire the shuttles for years. The reasons are many, cost, safety and the fact they are now dinosaurs full of 1970’s technology to name a few. The replacement is in the works. Unfortunately its a giant step backwards instead of forwards. We are going back to capsules, a man in a can……

[golfproz]

This isn’t news. They’ve been planning to retire the shuttles for years. The reasons are many, cost, safety and the fact they are now dinosaurs full of 1970’s technology to name a few. The replacement is in the works. Unfortunately its a giant step backwards instead of forwards. We are going back to capsules, a man in a can……

[bsrsharma]

I don’t think scrapping space shuttle is a very big deal. They were getting very old and unreliable. I think the whole notion of manned space exploration is wasteful in terms of cost to scientific value ratio. The future will be in unmanned space explorations. Just look at ISS; a $100 billion motel 6 with constant problems of plumbing, toilet, ventilation etc., AFAIK, zero scientific output. The Mars lander programs are infinitely more exciting. The Hubble has produced more science in 20 odd years than what human space flight has produced in more than 40 years; at probably 1% cost.

[bsrsharma]

I don’t think scrapping space shuttle is a very big deal. They were getting very old and unreliable. I think the whole notion of manned space exploration is wasteful in terms of cost to scientific value ratio. The future will be in unmanned space explorations. Just look at ISS; a $100 billion motel 6 with constant problems of plumbing, toilet, ventilation etc., AFAIK, zero scientific output. The Mars lander programs are infinitely more exciting. The Hubble has produced more science in 20 odd years than what human space flight has produced in more than 40 years; at probably 1% cost.

[bsrsharma]

I don’t think scrapping space shuttle is a very big deal. They were getting very old and unreliable. I think the whole notion of manned space exploration is wasteful in terms of cost to scientific value ratio. The future will be in unmanned space explorations. Just look at ISS; a $100 billion motel 6 with constant problems of plumbing, toilet, ventilation etc., AFAIK, zero scientific output. The Mars lander programs are infinitely more exciting. The Hubble has produced more science in 20 odd years than what human space flight has produced in more than 40 years; at probably 1% cost.

[bsrsharma]

I don’t think scrapping space shuttle is a very big deal. They were getting very old and unreliable. I think the whole notion of manned space exploration is wasteful in terms of cost to scientific value ratio. The future will be in unmanned space explorations. Just look at ISS; a $100 billion motel 6 with constant problems of plumbing, toilet, ventilation etc., AFAIK, zero scientific output. The Mars lander programs are infinitely more exciting. The Hubble has produced more science in 20 odd years than what human space flight has produced in more than 40 years; at probably 1% cost.

[bsrsharma]

I don’t think scrapping space shuttle is a very big deal. They were getting very old and unreliable. I think the whole notion of manned space exploration is wasteful in terms of cost to scientific value ratio. The future will be in unmanned space explorations. Just look at ISS; a $100 billion motel 6 with constant problems of plumbing, toilet, ventilation etc., AFAIK, zero scientific output. The Mars lander programs are infinitely more exciting. The Hubble has produced more science in 20 odd years than what human space flight has produced in more than 40 years; at probably 1% cost.

[patb]

So when Apollo ended in 1973 did you think America was over?

[patb]

So when Apollo ended in 1973 did you think America was over?

[patb]

So when Apollo ended in 1973 did you think America was over?

[patb]

So when Apollo ended in 1973 did you think America was over?

[Author]

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