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View Full Version : NASA.....The Last Space Shuttle Comes Home.....



MMC
07-21-2011, 07:21 AM
http://news.yahoo.com/last-space-shuttle-comes-home-ends-30-era-095919277.html

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Atlantis and four astronauts returned from the International Space Station in triumph Thursday, bringing an end to NASA's 30-year shuttle journey with one last, rousing touchdown that drew cheers and tears.

This grand finale came 50 years to the day that Gus Grissom became the second American in space, just a half-year ahead of Glenn.

The long-term future for American space exploration is just as hazy, a huge concern for many at NASA and all those losing their jobs because of the shuttle's end. Asteroids and Mars are the destinations of choice, yet NASA has yet to settle on a rocket design to get astronauts there.....(snip)

What do you think should take place with NASA? As the AP states many will be losing their jobs.
Should the program be scraped? Should we be leaving the spacestation in the hands and control of other countries? Why is NASA now focusing on whether there is life elsewheres when they have never been part of that mindset? Should we not return to the Moon and build some sort of space station there to use as a jump-off to Mars? These are some of the questions I have concerning something that we as a Country has as an Advantage over all others. Why would we give this advantage away? >:(

MMC
07-21-2011, 02:41 PM
I am against scraping any NASA programs.....surprising that both parties would look to back this play.

Conley
07-21-2011, 02:49 PM
Agreed MMC

We don't spend much on NASA and what people don't seem to realize is that it can serve as cover and advancement for huge steps in our military. Unlike some of you I am not worried about the Chinese Air Force...I am worried about China kicking our collective asses at a much higher altitude.

MMC
07-21-2011, 02:59 PM
Especially since China proved it could knock out a moving Sat.....hitting it from the Ground. Furthermore there was something about Korea being involved with the Space Station. I wouldnt care which one.....such was not a good move.

Moreover I do not see privatizing NASA. Sorry I can't go for corporatists have none to put them in check with what they could do in Space. Also Why, not start building a base on the Moon and get some jobs going?

Conley
07-21-2011, 03:04 PM
Agreed -- the problem with Corporatists is that they pledge allegiance to the company rather than the county. Any decent sized co. these days is multinational, all the better to move money around and hide it from taxes.

I did not realize the Chinese claim they can knock out a sat from the ground. I tend to not believe most of what they say...I do still believe we can do anything they can do better ;D, but at the current rate that will not hold true for much longer. Then again they have their own corporatists to worry about...

MMC
07-21-2011, 03:27 PM
Yeah I was looking for a link on the aspect of China taking out one of their own Satellites......I am still looking for it. As I am sure that the US validated not only the launch but the hit too.

Conley
07-21-2011, 03:33 PM
That seems like the kind of thing the US would want to keep to ourselves, no?

Perhaps that was some top secret intel you're not supposed to be sharing with us?

Maybe you got it from this guy?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ae/Richard_Crenna.jpg

Mister D
07-21-2011, 03:45 PM
Agreed -- the problem with Corporatists is that they pledge allegiance to the company rather than the county. Any decent sized co. these days is multinational, all the better to move money around and hide it from taxes.

I did not realize the Chinese claim they can knock out a sat from the ground. I tend to not believe most of what they say...I do still believe we can do anything they can do better ;D, but at the current rate that will not hold true for much longer. Then again they have their own corporatists to worry about...


Commies are fond of not telling the truth.

MMC
07-21-2011, 03:59 PM
I would remind all not more than 3 months ago Gates validated that China could already hit the US with a Land-bassed missile and has been able to do so for quite some time.....


http://www.reuters.com/article/comments/idUSTRE70A19B20110111


http://defensetech.org/2010/12/28/chinas-carrier-killer-ballistic-missiles-are-operational/

http://wuxinghongqi.blogspot.com/2010_08_02_archive.html

Conley
07-21-2011, 04:08 PM
that actually doesn't surprise me in the least...it is a lot easier to hit a target the size of the us than a small sat traveling at 6500 mph

there's so much space debris up there now too...that would be a tough firing solution, and probably need some kind of on board adjustments

MMC
07-21-2011, 04:23 PM
http://www.cleveland.com/world/index.ssf/2010/08/chinese_aircraft-carrier-kille.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16689558/

Yep 2007.....China knocked out of space a low-level orbitating weather satellite. One of their own. :o

Conley
07-21-2011, 05:07 PM
bastards...

MMC
07-21-2011, 05:10 PM
bastards...


What was interesting to note.....is that there are those that have had such tech come up missing already. With no answer to why such would disappear.

Also I would be worried that Russia or China then could even possible be able to blind us in certain regions of the World.

Conley
07-21-2011, 05:22 PM
no doubt, but with the amount we spend on defense and the further billions that are unaccounted for, i still believe we are technologically superior. interesting that in a round about way china funds our military.

Captain Obvious
07-21-2011, 06:43 PM
It's a good thing the Russians haven't abandoned their space plans, we'd have to rely on Iran for a ride into orbit.