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Future of NASA's Manned Spaceflight Looks Bleak

Posted by kdawson on from the send-out-the-machines dept.

coondoggie writes "Things don't look good for NASA when the report outlining its future begins: 'The US human spaceflight program appears to be on an unsustainable trajectory. [NASA] is perpetuating the perilous practice of pursuing goals that do not match allocated resources. Space operations are among the most complex and unforgiving pursuits ever undertaken by humans. It really is rocket science. Space operations become all the more difficult when means do not match aspirations.' Today the Augustine Commission handed to the White House the Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee summary report, after months of expert review and testimony. Many observers expected a bleak report, but ultimately the future of US manned space flight will hinge on how the report's conclusions are interpreted. Keep in mind too that NASA has spent almost $8 billion of a planned $40 billion to develop systems for a return to the Moon."

8 of 452 comments (clear)

  1. Return? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Where's the proof of any previous moon landing?

    1. Re:Return? by Trogre · · Score: 2, Funny

      All the stuff they did?

      --
      "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
    2. Re:Return? by Shakrai · · Score: 2, Funny

      Those moonrocks were obviously fabrications of a global Illuminati/Jewish/Freemason/Scientologist/Cowboyneal conspiracy. Everybody knows that ;)

      --
      I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
      We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    3. Re:Return? by paiute · · Score: 4, Funny

      (Enter Buzz Aldrin)

      POW!

      (Exit Buzz Aldrin)

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      If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
  2. Stop sending humans... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Why send people to The Moon or Mars anyway, except for bragging rights? Robots only need sunlight to flourish!

    Plus, if we send 'em all to space, no risk of running into any robotic overlord problems....right?

  3. In order to get funding by joeflies · · Score: 5, Funny

    rename the rocket to "planetary missile testing platform" and call the space program the strategic defense initiative. Or you can go one step further and rename NASA to Department of Homeworld Security.

  4. Re:How can you... by shadowblaster · · Score: 5, Funny

    You will need to adjust the funding slider on your empire to reduce military spending and increase technology spending.

    Alternatively convert some of your citizen to scientists, that ought to get you the space flight tech quicker.

  5. Re:How can you... by stubob · · Score: 3, Funny

    Russia: The Original Off-Site Backup

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    Planning to be moderated ± 1: Bad Pun.