Well today is the 42nd anniversary of the the US landing the first man on the moon, and within 2 days the US will be out of manned space exploration. For the first time since the early 60s we have no way to put a man (or woman) into space, that's just sad.

 

I agree and with the economy in the shape it is in I wouldn't forsee any future plans to get back in the program. Ken, I plan to join you, your wife and Gene for lunch in Lewes this Friday. My wife cant make it as we got kids/grandkids coming. Looking forward to seeing you.

 

See you Friday!

 

.....wonder how the economy got that way
It is...... Very sad.....& sorryful .....I still remember JFK's speech, with regard to a man....on the moon !!!!!
Who would have ever thought of such a thing....way back then.....



......and look @ me now.

 

.....wonder how the economy got that way
It is...... Very sad.....& sorryful .....I still remember JFK's speech, with regard to a man....on the moon !!!!!
Who would have ever thought of such a thing....way back then.....



......and look @ me now.

 

It is sad about the lack of our space program. I wonder how the ISS will fair as well.

One of my earliest memories is, when I was just over 3 years old, my dad holding me, showing me the moon and telling me there were people walking on it!

Obviously that made a huge impression since I remember almost nothing of my childhood, and I am a huge space / astronomy / sci fi enthusiast (nut?)

 

I have a slightly different take on this topic. These were partially the result of talks with my son Rob, who works out at the Stennis Space Center which, among other things, does nearly all the rocket engine testing for NASA and private US companies.

I will miss the shuttle, but after 30 years it's time to move on. More specifically, its time for the private sector to pick up the ball and provide transport to the space station and back, and to explore other commercial and scientific pursuits in low earth orbit. There are, in fact, two very good companies, Boeing and SpaceX, who come immediately to mind. These and others are developing, or have already developed manned orbital flight capability.

It's time for NASA to move on with programs, manned and unmanned, that push the outside of the exploration envelope. By turning "routine" low orbit transport over to private contractors, NASA frees up resources to do just that.

Mars or bust.

 

There are companies out there, though small, have the potential to take up some of the slack. This is the one I'm familiar with here locally.

http://www.spacex.com/company.php

 

Ken, change of plans. My daughter and granddaughter are coming down tonight so I wont be able to make lunch tomorrow. Sorry. Ray

 

Unfortunately, the end of the shuttle program means that hundreds of America's best and brightest are now unemployed...