NASA Consider "Demanning" Space Station

Posted by Hemos on Monday December 16, 2002 @05:35AM from the planning-for-the-worst dept.

Heartbreak writes "James Oberg, in an article for MSNBC, says that NASA is making contingency plans to leave the International Space Station without a permanent crew for up to a year if the Russians can't deliver the required Soyuz and Progress spacecraft to support it. A serviceable Soyuz is required to evacuate the crew in an emergency when the US Shuttle isn't there, and Progress is needed for resupply. The Russian space program is doddering on the edge of financial collapse after several recent setbacks, including the failure of Lance Bass to pay up. What SF writer could have imagined that humanity's dream of exploring space would be brought to the edge of extinction by the financial irresponsibility of a pop music star? It would be a boring and depressing story, at best." Of course, some would argue that the space station was a boondoogle to start with.

2 of 358 comments (clear)

NASA plural? by farnsworth · 2002-12-16 05:52 · Score: 0, Troll

NASA Consider "Demanning" Space Station
did 'NASA' become plural this weekend?

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Old News by donutello · 2002-12-16 05:52 · Score: 0, Troll

That article was on the front page of MSNBC on Nov 26th!

Slashdot: News thats old. Stuff that doesn't matter anymore.

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