Only a Few Shuttle Missions Left; Where to Next??

I am struck by the interesting (and uncomfortable) irony that I can watch a shuttle launch and landing (and press conferences about gawgeous HST results) via satellite TV in the comfort of my home — made possible by advances from the United States space program — and yet, we in the U.S. are facing the end of a significant part of our crewed flight to space capability.  After next year (2010-ish) we have no human launch capability in the U.S. Period.  The Ares launch vehicle won’t be ready to go for some years yet, and NASA is facing that fact. So are those of us who have followed NASA’s many achievements for most (if not all) of our lives.  I can’t imagine a time without space access — yet we, in the U.S., are facing that time.  The Augustine Commission recently-released document notwithstanding, we are slamming into a wall that will prevent us from going to space for a quite a while. The worst thing is, it’s a wall of our own building.

We, collectively, in the US, have let the leadership slight NASA for too long. And, NASA is paying the price. Yes, it can still do great things — but it can’t do the greatest, not with the lack of funding and Congressional and Senatorial support it is facing.  I have many friends who work for NASA and its contractors, and their agency doesn’t deserve the neglect it’s getting.  I am proud of the folks at NASA — they are a gift that this country once voted to give to itself. And now, the best and brightest are being treated like second-hand goods by politicians who would rather encourage some very questionable things with our tax dollars.

Maybe it’s time that we let the rest of the world leap ahead of us. Maybe we’ve done all we can.  Maybe we should just revel in our complacency that allows us to use satellite TV and cell phones and other technology that space travel has made possible, but not look forward to or enable new accomplishments made by our fellow Americans.  Maybe the U.S. doesn’t have the will to move forward any more, given our country’s slide into anti-science, anti-reality fundamentalism and hatred. Maybe we don’t deserve to go to space any more — and that other countries can find ways to do it better. Maybe we need a kick in the collective hiney.

I’d hate to think that this would be the case. I’ve always been proud to live in a country that led people to space and has given the world so much to marvel at.  Space travel and the will to explore has been part of our national psyche for a long time.  It’s kind of sad to think that maybe we won’t be in that leadership role any more. What do you think?