Former Astronauts Call Obama NASA Plans "Catastrophic"

krou writes "Talking to the BBC at a private function held at the Royal Society in London, former astronauts Jim Lovell and Eugene Cernan both spoke out about Obama's decision to postpone further moon missions. Lovell claimed that 'it will have catastrophic consequences in our ability to explore space and the spin-offs we get from space technology,' while Cernan noted he was 'disappointed' to have been the last person to land on the moon. Said Cernan: 'I think America has a responsibility to maintain its leadership in technology and its moral leadership ... to seek knowledge. Curiosity's the essence of human existence.' Neil Armstrong, who was also at the event, avoided commenting on the subject."

Comments

Re:spin-offs we get from space technology

[Fred_A]

How about we explore the forests and oceans first. There's lots of scientific knowledge to be gained right here on earth.

We killed everything in there already. That's why we're looking for new life to kill elsewhere.

Not exactly the last

[MichaelSmith]

the last person to land on the moon

Gene Cernan was the last person to walk on the moon. He was one of the two last people to land on the moon.

Though if you think about it. If landing on the moon inside a vehicle counts then walking on the moon inside a vehicle should also count, so he is still one of the two last people to walk on the moon.

Neil Armstrong, who was also at the event, avoided commenting on the subject.

True to form.