Shuttle to scuttle. grrr

[Ladder7]

Lotsa jobs went poof, and notit just inas Central Fla. We're gonna pay Russia to send our astronauts to the ISS. At least 2500 jobs eliminated and that's just the beginning. Brilliant

What's in theearnest wprks?.. A token, scaled-down space program. I hear our $ can be better spent on Earth issues. But, isn't this just as important?

I was born a month before the space race began in earnest with Sputnik. I've followed it in awe since grade school, as many my age have. More people around here are more concerned with the Red Sox and the Bruins prospects. *sigh*


Space exploration timeline;

http://my.execpc.com/~culp/space/timeline.html

[teetwoohsix]

I agree Steve, there are MANY other ways this Country could find other "monies" that are being wasted in other areas than to scrap all of the progress we've made with our space programs. Sign of the times I guess.......sad. Degeneration right before our eyes- people need to wake up.

Sincerely, Clayton

[vintagetoppsguy]

Ok, I'm probably going to get blasted for this, but I disagree and I'm from Houston where a lot of the jobs will be lost.

Sure, we've made progress with the space program, but for what? What's the goal? That man may live in space some day? Come on.

I think those monies could be better spent on other things (at least with the econonmy the way it is).

I do agree that there is also a lot of wasted money in other areas that needs to be cut as well.

Again, what was the goal of the space program?

Not sure of the benefits of the space program (outside jobs, especially in R&D), but it beats the U.S. government allotting $2.6 million dollars to educate Chinese prostitutes about responsible drinking (see below).

http://www.cnsnews.com/node/47976

[barrysloate]

The space program seems a little out of date today. When men landed on the moon the world was in awe, it was a galvanizing moment. Is anybody except a small group of diehards paying much attention to each shuttle launch? Interesting yes, but not a high priority anymore.

[canjond]

The scientific and medical communities have benefited immensely from the shuttle programs, even if those achievements are not as glamorous and newsworthy like the Apollo missions were.

Just a small sampling of breakthroughs that have resulted from the shuttle program include:

•"cool" laser heart surgery technology
•body imaging
•infrared thermometer
•light emitting diodes (LED)
•composite forceps
•digital mammography

It's sad and disheartning that we are taking a (hopefully) temporary break from space. IMO, our leaders should be ashamed of their poor planning.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

The space program seems a little out of date today. When men landed on the moon the world was in awe, it was a galvanizing moment. Is anybody except a small group of diehards paying much attention to each shuttle launch? Interesting yes, but not a high priority anymore.

I grew up in Clear Lake City, home of NASA. I played in Nasa Area Little League. Many of my early childhood friends had parents that work(ed) there. I think we should continue the program and not continue sending support for countries that harbour terrorists and lie to us about it. And we can quit funding insane things like has been pointed out in this thread too.