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Panel Warns NASA On Commercial Astronaut Transport

Posted by kdawson on from the let-me-carry-that-for-you dept.

DesScorp writes "In a blow against the commercial space industry, a federal panel warned NASA not to use private companies to ferry astronauts into space. While the Obama Administration wants to outsource some NASA activities, insiders at the space agency are resisting any moves to use commercial alternatives. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel 'cautioned that the private space companies rely on "unsubstantiated claims" and need to overcome major technical hurdles before they can safely carry astronauts into orbit. The report urged NASA to stick with its current government-run manned space ventures, and said that switching to private alternatives now would be "unwise and probably not cost-effective." The findings are likely to provide a boost to NASA officials who want to keep nearly all manned space programs in house.' Private companies such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing argue that they're capable of human transport in space safely and at competitive costs."

5 of 319 comments (clear)

  1. Bad bad idea by DaemonKnightVS · · Score: 0, Troll

    Private companies with little experience vs all of NASA's experience??

    They really need to rethink retiring the shuttles untill ares/constellation or whatever its called is running.

    1. Re:Bad bad idea by Opportunist · · Score: 1, Troll

      Little experience?

      Apollo CM/SM: North American Aviation, now part of Boeing.
      Space Shuttle Orbiter: See above.
      LEM: Grumman Aircraft Engineering, ackquired by Northrop to form Northrop Grumman.

      Who do you think built the crafts that were used so far? NASA itself? Consider: They worked, mostly.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. "Probably not cost effective" by Weaselmancer · · Score: 1, Troll

    The report urged NASA to stick with its current government-run manned space ventures, and said that switching to private alternatives now would be "unwise and probably not cost-effective.

    Because we all know a government run monopoly is the most cost effective means of doing something.

    --
    Weaselmancer
    rediculous.
  3. Re:NASA isn't good at listening by Rockoon · · Score: 0, Troll

    NASA doesnt have a great safety track record any longer. Two shuttles have gone down killing everyone on board.

    While the first one with the O-ring maybe was simply tragic, the second one with crappy environmentally friendly tile modifications was most definitely caused by NASA management listening to environmentalist dipshits instead of the experts.

    Which of these private firms have the best scientists?

    --
    "His name was James Damore."
  4. Re:Stop with the Limbaugh bullshit already..... by mi · · Score: 0, Troll

    Yes, I noticed that shortly after I posted that I used the wrong word there. Limbaugh didn't actually ORIGINATE this particular bullshit story

    So, will you apologize to Rush now, or do you despise him so much, we may as well expect you to apologize to the Devil?

    --
    In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.