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Shuttle Atlantis Finally In Orbit
Klaidas writes "After delays, the shuttle Atlantis has finally been launched today as expected. NASA reports: 'The shuttle Atlantis is in orbit, headed for a challenging new phase in the construction of the International Space Station. Commander Brent Jett and his five crewmates will install a new 17-ton segment of the station's truss backbone, adding a new set of giant solar panels and batteries to the complex. Three spacewalks are planned.'"
Are you saying the American President is stupid? nah... did you work that out on your own ;-)
NASA hasn't had a budget cut in ages. In fact, it is one of the only agencies that has seen an increase in recent years.
The main difference is that they need to use the same astronauts over and over again because they are highly trained
I call bullshit. How many PhDs does one have to have in order to push a button (which is essentially all they do)? Is optimum physical fitness required for working in weightless space? "Astronauts" are just technicians that have been idolized and aggrandized by the myth and hero-making marketing machine. Yes, the original guys (who were actually test pilots - true daring and fearless men) were pioneers, but these days it's just a job. It's an exclusive job to be sure (the only way I'll ever get into space is if Chuck Norris kicks me) but the fact remains that all those brains in space are performing tasks that a similarly-trained 8 year old could do.