tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27144766.post4643346088826129249..comments2023-10-26T07:01:50.905-04:00Comments on Scifi Media: End of an EraBuddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17142269413009487783noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27144766.post-34364855245409844522011-07-08T19:37:13.751-04:002011-07-08T19:37:13.751-04:00It's sad that there will be no more space shut...It's sad that there will be no more space shuttle launches.<br />However, the privatizing of space flight has begun. Private companies, not our government, will fund those projects. The next ten years will be interesting!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27144766.post-37682992427087027782011-07-08T16:19:46.930-04:002011-07-08T16:19:46.930-04:00Isn't it sad? Sniff. Not just for sci-fi, but ...Isn't it sad? Sniff. Not just for sci-fi, but for the quest to know what's out there.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27144766.post-69103745595057195252011-07-08T15:42:10.211-04:002011-07-08T15:42:10.211-04:00Money will be an issue I'm afraid in future.Money will be an issue I'm afraid in future.The Angry Lurkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01227314379603418332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27144766.post-30901467080919230312011-07-08T15:37:24.502-04:002011-07-08T15:37:24.502-04:00it's interesting that outside USA, Russia is c...it's interesting that outside USA, Russia is considered the leading space explorer, not USA.DEZMONDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127166104359407763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27144766.post-87819702782685250492011-07-08T15:20:28.643-04:002011-07-08T15:20:28.643-04:00My problem is simple. We're spending billions ...My problem is simple. We're spending billions trying to be the world's policeman and at the same time hitchhiking for rides...<br />I know that NASA is still alive and somewhat well, but I just don't like what's happening.Pat Tilletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27144766.post-89440090243542059542011-07-08T13:00:13.756-04:002011-07-08T13:00:13.756-04:00The budget situation is the most worrisome. I kno...The budget situation is the most worrisome. I know there is an attempt to transition some things to commercial space craft, and I do think this is the future of space exploration, but this isn't an economy that can support a private space exploration company.Buddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17142269413009487783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27144766.post-54378552819052471272011-07-08T12:19:19.218-04:002011-07-08T12:19:19.218-04:00I feel like the end of the shuttle era is being mi...I feel like the end of the shuttle era is being miscategorized. Yes, NASA does not have a currently flying spacecraft for transporting humans, but nobody seems to be mentioning that there was a 6 year gap between Apollo Soyuz and the first shuttle launch, which was NASA's last big transition.<br /><br />During this transition, the Commercial Crew Development Program (CCDEV) is already in flight test mode. SpaceX's Dragon capsule, which is a major American contender to replace the shuttle as a low-earth orbit spacecraft has already orbited the earth on an unmanned test flight.<br /><br />Meanwhile, NASA is not ceasing its operation. They continue to launch rockets, just not with people on them. They are 1 month away from launching the Juno orbiter towards Jupiter.<br /><br />NASA isn't ending, American missions to low earth orbit aren't ending, only the shuttle is ending. Is it sad? Yes, but it completed its primary mission of completing the ISS and now NASA is looking to the next step, which is to go places that the shuttle could never go.<br /><br />The biggest thing that makes me nervous is the funding. All space buffs should be terrified of the budget wrangling going on in DC, because NASA is a low-hanging fruit for the axe. However, if NASA weathers the budget storm, this is not an end, but a metamorphosis.GeoffN.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14506445477494524672noreply@blogger.com