August 24, 2011

Russian Cargo Launch Failure Endangers Space Station

Just seven weeks after the final space shuttle mission, the decisions to kill the shuttle program before American crew and cargo launch systems are in operation are revealed as reckless.

Today, a Russian Progress cargo rocket failed, calling into question when the next crew and cargo missions can occur.
http://spaceflightnow.com/station/exp28/110824prog44p/

Many times this organization and many, many others warned of the dangers of relying entirely upon others for launches. This should wake up Congress and NASA to the need to save the shuttles, and prepare them for "launch on need" in emergencies.

Due to inevitable delays while Russia investigates the accident, at today's NASA press conference, an official stated, "If we keep with a 6-person crew, we'll need a makeup flight." That they even consider chopping the crew on ISS is worrying and a predictable result of scrapping the shuttles.


Both Russia's crew and cargo launches use the same rocket, and the accident investigation will delay crew launches and returns as the accident until both Russia and the US are satisfied the cause has been found and corrected. There are two cargo and two crew launches scheduled between now and the end of the year.

NASA stated that "Progress' Soyuz-U third stage is similar to the Soyuz-FG used for crew, so the program will assess the crew rotation planned for Sept 7 and 21." 


One question which Russia should answer would be if a Soyuz manned capsule left in the same location successfully re-enter, and thus save the crew?


Earlier this year, United Space Alliance offered a serious plan to take over shuttle launches for five year, flying them commercially and supplying ISS for less money than shuttle launches had cost. This offer should be accepted now, or one more Russian failure could threaten the very survival of the space station.

August 11, 2011

Help Save NASA: Call & Visit "Super Committee" Members of Congress

You can help save NASA. "Super Committee" lobbying calls and visits are needed to save the space program from crippling cuts. The 12 members can save our space program or kill it for a decade or more. Share this with friends and post it everywhere it will help--let's take action now

Cuts in the space program can set us back a decade or more, allowing other nations to out-compete us in high tech.

Senate Republicans: Pat Toomey (PA), Jon Kyl (AZ), Rob Portman (OH).
House Republicans: Jeb Hensarling (TX) Dave Camp (MI), Fred Upton (MI).
Senate Democrats: Max Baucus (MT), John Kerry (MA), Patty Murray (WA).
 
House Democrats: Chris Van Hollen (MD), Xavier Becerra (CA), and James Clyburn (SC).

Call any member of the House or Senate via the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121.

The committee must agree by Nov. 23 on $1.2 trillion in deficit reductions, and to pass the bill by Dec. 23. If they don't, automatic spending cuts of $1.5 trillion will occur, divided equally between domestic and defense spending. Most or all cuts will come from non-entitlements, meaning space could be hard hit unless we convince them it is a national priority. 


See other postings here for additional information useful for lobbying calls and visits.

Share this with your friends and anyone who will help too! Let's roll!

LIKE our Facebook page to get additional and timely info on many space related activities: www.Facebook.com/SaveMannedSpace.com and urgent alerts at www.Twitter.com/SaveMannedSpace.com