Re: US/Russia Space Troubles

From: Ed Kyle (edkyle99_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 12/31/04 

Date: 31 Dec 2004 15:46:58 -0800

Joann Evans wrote:
> Try not to find yourself unintentionally in league with those who
> would be quite content with shutting down NASA manned space
activities,
> and replacing them with...nothing.
>

A good point. I do believe that the U.S. should maintain
a Government-funded human space program - but I would like
to see a better program than the shuttle-based effort we now
have. Shuttle is a failed program. It has killed on more
than one occasion - and the root dangers still exist. It
has caused years of non-productive down-time, and it has
devoured resources. I don't understand why the U.S. is
pouring more resources into shuttle now rather than shutting
it down to put its replacement on a fast-track.

Or keep it going and put its replacement on a fast-track.
But please, put its replacement on a fast-track.

ISS, on the other hand, is a dead-end. It serves little
purpose for the U.S. For Russia, it serves as an example
of U.S. failings. The air leak? It was a U.S. problem.
the minimal crewing? Another U.S. problem due to its
unreliable shuttle. The food shortages? It was probably
the fat American astronaut who ate too much. And America
wouldn't be on ISS anyway were it not for the generous
free rides given by the Russian rockets. But now NASA is
going to have to pay, etc.

The complaining is tiresome. NASA could do better work
for the U.S. in space if it were not required to cooperate
on a big project with another country in this fashion.

 - Ed Kyle

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