Could the shuttle program be extended?

[bobble_bob]

<p>Just listening to the Status Briefing on Nasatv, and one of the reporters talked about congress thinking about extending the shuttle program beyond 2010. John Shannon said alot of the vendors are being shutdown now, but in theory could be restarted again. He did seem against this idea as the shuttle has run its course.</p><p>However, with the problems with Ares and the tight schedule of completing the ISS, could it be extended for a few more years? The shuttle still performs well and still remains a safe way for the astronauts&nbsp;to orbit earth and dock with the ISS (even more so since Columbia and the extra safety checks perfomed on orbit). The shuttle has outlasted its lifecycle and is showing signs of age, but most of these problems can be worked around on orbit and dont present serious safety concerns. It would be good to maybe have an option of extending the program, incase we dont get the ISS completed on time. Would be a shame to be only 1 or 2 flights from completion and then shutting down the program</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

<p>bob,</p><p>The real problem is that any delays to the end of the shuttle cause delays to whatever will replace it, both in money and time.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Could it be extended, sure, but at what price?</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[johns805]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Just listening to the Status Briefing on Nasatv, and one of the reporters talked about congress thinking about extending the shuttle program beyond 2010. John Shannon said alot of the vendors are being shutdown now, but in theory could be restarted again. He did seem against this idea as the shuttle has run its course.However, with the problems with Ares and the tight schedule of completing the ISS, could it be extended for a few more years? The shuttle still performs well and still remains a safe way for the astronauts&nbsp;to orbit earth and dock with the ISS (even more so since Columbia and the extra safety checks perfomed on orbit). The shuttle has outlasted its lifecycle and is showing signs of age, but most of these problems can be worked around on orbit and dont present serious safety concerns. It would be good to maybe have an option of extending the program, incase we dont get the ISS completed on time. Would be a shame to be only 1 or 2 flights from completion and then shutting down the program <br />Posted by bobble_bob</DIV><br /><br />Hi:&nbsp;&nbsp; In my opinion, there's good news... U.S. Rep Dave Weldon has introduced a bill to indeed extend the shuttle program and increase next generation funding in order to close the impending U.S. spaceflight gap.&nbsp; I think this is worthy of our support.&nbsp; Details in the news article at the link: </p><p>http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=24937&nbsp;</p><p>As the article points out, there are important strategic reasons to be pro active in this matter...I say, let's spread the word!&nbsp;&nbsp; ~</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

 

[johns805]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Hi:&nbsp;&nbsp; In my opinion, there's good news... U.S. Rep Dave Weldon has introduced a bill to indeed extend the shuttle program and increase next generation funding in order to close the impending U.S. spaceflight gap.&nbsp; I think this is worthy of our support.&nbsp; Details in the news article at the link: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=24937As the article points out, there are important strategic reasons to be pro active in this matter...I say, let's spread the word!&nbsp;&nbsp; ~&nbsp; <br />Posted by johns805</DIV><br /><br />Hi:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I need to make a correction.&nbsp; This shows what happens when not controlling one's enthusiasm.&nbsp; After reading Rep. Weldon's HR 4874, I didn't see&nbsp;a specific reference to next generation funding....In any case, I think the bill as it stands is prudent and on point ~

 

[Cygnus_X_1]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Hi:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I need to make a correction.&nbsp; This shows what happens when not controlling one's enthusiasm.&nbsp; After reading Rep. Weldon's HR 4874, I didn't see&nbsp;a specific reference to next generation funding....In any case, I think the bill as it stands is prudent and on point ~ <br /> Posted by johns805</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It is a meaningless bill and doesn't provide the money to implement itself&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[johns805]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;It is a meaningless bill and doesn't provide the money to implement itself&nbsp; <br />Posted by Cygnus_X_1</DIV><br /><br />Hi:&nbsp;&nbsp; I read it.&nbsp; It authorizes funding of two shuttle flights per year 2010 thru 2015 or until Orion is ready....~

 

[ThereIWas2]

<p>I don't think it is accurate to say that the shuttle "... remains a safe way for the astronauts&nbsp;to orbit earth and dock with the ISS".&nbsp; It has always been and remains dangerous.</p><p>NASA brags that it is the "most complicated machine ever built".&nbsp; That is precisely what is wrong with it and why it is dangerous.</p><p>If the shuttle&nbsp; program is extended, then whatever follows on will be delayed by the same amount due to lack of funds.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><span class="postbody"><span style="font-style:italic"><br /></span></span></p> </div>

 

[Cygnus_X_1]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Hi:&nbsp;&nbsp; I read it.&nbsp; It authorizes funding of two shuttle flights per year 2010 thru 2015 or until Orion is ready....~ <br /> Posted by johns805</DIV></p><p>That is if it is passed.&nbsp; Congress has no intention of passing this bill </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bobble_bob]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I don't think it is accurate to say that the shuttle "... remains a safe way for the astronauts&nbsp;to orbit earth and dock with the ISS".&nbsp; It has always been and remains dangerous.NASA brags that it is the "most complicated machine ever built".&nbsp; That is precisely what is wrong with it and why it is dangerous.If the shuttle&nbsp; program is extended, then whatever follows on will be delayed by the same amount due to lack of funds. <br />Posted by ThereIWas2</DIV></p><p>Of course space travel is dangerous, but the orbitor holds up pretty well considering the stresses put on it during a mission. And out of the 2 disasters we have had, both could and perhaps should have been avoided</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[pberrett]

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Were&nbsp;the&nbsp;Colombia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Challenger&nbsp;incidents&nbsp;really&nbsp;"disasters"&nbsp;or&nbsp;</p><p>accidents?&nbsp;When&nbsp;a&nbsp;bus&nbsp;hits&nbsp;a&nbsp;train&nbsp;and&nbsp;kills&nbsp;20&nbsp;people&nbsp;on&nbsp;board&nbsp;it&nbsp;is</p><p>described&nbsp;as&nbsp;an&nbsp;accident&nbsp;Likewise&nbsp;when&nbsp;there&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;Tsunami&nbsp;which&nbsp;kills</p><p>100,000&nbsp;people&nbsp;that&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;disaster.&nbsp;Can&nbsp;it&nbsp;truly&nbsp;be&nbsp;said&nbsp;that&nbsp;the&nbsp;two</p><p>orbiter&nbsp;breakups&nbsp;were&nbsp;disasters?&nbsp;Have&nbsp;we&nbsp;lost&nbsp;all&nbsp;sense&nbsp;of&nbsp;scale?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Regards&nbsp;Peter&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>