Big Changes In Proposed U.S. Space Budget

Guppy06 writes: "CNN has this article on some of the effects of Bush's budget proposal would have on the space program. To make a long story short, funding for the manned space program is being trimmed (there's talk about outsourcing the shuttle program) and some high-profile missions to the outer solar system have been cut (say good-bye to the Pluto-Kuiper Express). On the flip side, nuclear propulsion research is getting a boost. Love it, hate it, some big things seem to be in store." The Planetary Society has their reaction to the budget proposal. And because it's been submitted several times: the ISS suffered a computer outage but all is well now.

Comments

Re:Trimmed?

[Wyatt Earp]

The Military and NASA have always worked hand in glove.

Many things that were too expensive for NASA were developed by the USAF.

Examples
The SpaceLab was simply the final name for an Air Force Manned Orbital Lab.

Shuttle's cargo bay was designed around the size of the spy sats.

NASA is the civilian arm of Space exploration and development while the real interesting stuff is being done in black projects by the Air Force who has the real budget.

I'm of the opinion that the real advances will come out of Air Force spending. Examples.

707 - That was designed as a military tanker to replace the K-97. Only after the USAF bought it did the airlines buy it.

747 - Was designed in the CX project that the C-5 won, then Boeing pushed it for a commercial aircraft.

Many of the advances in materials and propulsion technology come out of the Air Force because they have the money to spend.

The engines on a CRJ-70 aren't evil because they were developed for the A-10 and S-3. It's just an offshoot.