February 25, 2011

Discovery Launches! Now Let's Keep the Shuttles Launching...

Discovery Reaches for the Stars
 
Discovery's spectacular launch highlights the necessity to keep the shuttles flying to supply large items --such as cooling pump spares--to ISS and to provide heavy lift for possible missions to the Moon or an asteroid.
Booster Separation

United Space Alliance's proposal to continue shuttle operations must be approved. Launches will be lower in cost than current operational costs, and this will greatly narrow the gap until other private launches are available. USA's proposal won't take business from Space X and others as the missions are entirely different.

Call the White House (202-456-1414) and Congress (202-224-3121) in support. Those with contacts in Congress and the White House are encouraged to promote this opportunity.

Go Discovery... And keep the shuttles flying!

February 22, 2011

Call Congress on Shuttle Launch Day, 2/24: Save the Space Program

The space shuttle launch is Thursday, February 24.  Let's all spread the word to call Congress on that day to not cut space exploration and to make space exploration a national priority.

Tweet it, Facebook it, email it; let's make this a big campaign! Call your members of Congress at 202-224-3121.

February 4, 2011

Lobby Congress: Space is a National Priority, Increase, Not Cut NASA's Budget

The new Congress is to be applauded for working to reduce the budget; but we must let it be known that space exploration is a national priority, and must not be put on the chopping block.

Continuing to lead the world in space exploration must be America's future in so many ways; it will revitalize American high tech industry at a time when the rest of the world is moving into the vacuum we have created by inaction. America's path to the Moon created a great many high tech jobs--just what we need now to power out of the recession. So manyproducts we take for granted today had their origins in the Apollo program; a new committment to reach the Moon, Mars and an asteroid could result in new discoveries in clean energy, medical breakthroughs, cheaper access to space, and much, much more.

Action item: Call, visit and write your members of Congress and ask that they do increase NASA's budget rather than cut it; and to treat space exploration as a national priority. There are plenty of programs and pork which can be cut to make up the difference; we must not cut off our future prosperity to achieve immediate budget goals. Additional actions can include writing letters to the editor and op-eds, as well as calling talk shows. Companies in the space field should be in close contact with Congress as the budget process evolves.

Let's save the space program!

A Real Plan to Save the Space Shuttles

Private enterprise steps up to do what the government won't. United Space Alliance (USA) is proposing to take over operation of two of the shuttles (Atlantis and Endeavour) and continue to fly them for ISS support and perhaps commercial/tourist ventures.

Read all about it:
http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/03/5983953-will-space-shuttles-have-an-afterlife

They could re-start external tank production and be ready to launch in 2013, which would fill in the gap before other commercial crew launch vehicles are ready, end the reliance on Russian launches, preserve the ability to return objects from ISS as well as return satellites which need repair, and assure large replacement items for ISS can be delivered if needed.  Continued shuttle flights could also launch elements of a manned asteroid or lunar mission.

In no way does this proposal compete with or take away from Space X and other new commercial ventures; the shuttle is more expensive for just launching crew members and delivering small quantities of supplies, but it is the unique heavy cargo delivery and return capability which is irreplaceable--nothing else even on the drawing boards can match it. America can't afford to be withour the launch and return capabilities of the shuttle, and together with other private launch rockets, American access to space will be assured.

NASA under its current leadership might be incapable of making the right decision, but Congress should order NASA to accept the deal if they won't on their own.

What value are the shuttles collecting dust in museums when they could continue in service? A private operator could also sell empty seats to help cover costs, sell space onboard for experiments, launch satellites, etc.

United Space Services is the contractor which maintains the shuttle fleet, therefore they are the experts in shuttle flight and maintenance and uniquely qualified to continue to operate the shuttle. Thousands of shuttle workers would sigh with relief if their jobs can be saved or restored.

The shuttles have been improved and upgraded over their life, and they are virtually rebuilt after each mission. The flaws which cost the lives on the two lost shuttles have been corrected; so it is a well tested system. That the recent tank stringer cracks were detected and repaired shows the system works; the shuttles can continue to fly safely.

Many people do not know that each orbiter was designed for 100 flights, and none have exceeded 38--they have years of service remaining. Atlantis has had 32 launches, and the newest orbiter, Endeavour has had just 24. USA's proposal does not include Discovery, so perhaps it would be retired for museum display and/or used for critical spare parts.

NASA in fact does see the value of retaining at least one operational shuttle, further proving the concept is sound:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41397955/ns/technology_and_science-space/

Let's help make this happen:

Call the White House at 202-456-1111 and ask the President to accept USA's offer.

Call Congress--ask them to urge (or force if needed) NASA to approve USA's deal to fly the shuttles privately. 202-224-3121 Members of Congress can begin by writing a letter to NASA urging approval of the offer.