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NASA says it can't afford new rocket, spacecraft
 (AFP) NASA this week told Congress it cannot afford to build a new heavy-lift rocket and spacecraft to replace the retiring space shuttle programme within the current budget approved by Congress.Somehow I suspected that... Lawmakers from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation shot back that the plan is not optional and that the US space agency must find a way to devise a workable plan. "Well, take up a collection or something! Hold a bake sale!" "The production of a heavy-lift rocket and capsule is not optional. It's the law," said a joint statement issued late yesterday by Senators John Rockefeller, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Bill Nelson and David Vitter. "... whether we give you the money to do it or not!" "NASA must use its decades of space know-how and billions of dollars in previous investments to come up with a concept that works. We believe it can be done affordably and efficiently -- and, it must be a priority. Posted by: Fred 2011-01-14 |
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