Humans in space will cost much more than robots, they will work just fine for many years just like spirit and Opportunity did and still do, we need more robots exploring to learn all we can before sending people there.
The new budget has allocated adequate funding for robotic precursor missions to test USRI concepts and scout out landing sites for future manned missions, so the robotic part is covered. It's human space flight that's an issue, because short of a shuttle extension there's no way to get rid of the coming gap between the end of the shuttle program and whatever follows.
@PJMDS I think robots have a very good place in the space program. So do people. Robots are there to help people both working together are far more capable than anyone alone.
Clearly the Obama plan (if it can even be called a plan) is in serious trouble.
Astronauts, engineers, scientists and much of the space community is clearly lining up against it. It will not survive intact that is becoming very obvious. This senate hearing is proof of that.
Americans want a NASA that sends humans into space and has GOALS! Like the Moon and Mars. It's that simple. Not subisidize out it's funds to a nascent and unproven commercial industry.
Personally I'm not for or against "the Obama plan", because I don't know enough (I'm not even a USA citizen and I don't feel like watching this 2 hour video...), but I agree that it seems important to have well defined goals in space programs.
USA needs to give much more money to NASA and much less to the military because the future of mankind is to go together to space, not to fight each other.
Im sorry but that vitter guy is just annoying.
valcan321 2 years ago
Humans in space will cost much more than robots, they will work just fine for many years just like spirit and Opportunity did and still do, we need more robots exploring to learn all we can before sending people there.
PJMDS 2 years ago
The new budget has allocated adequate funding for robotic precursor missions to test USRI concepts and scout out landing sites for future manned missions, so the robotic part is covered. It's human space flight that's an issue, because short of a shuttle extension there's no way to get rid of the coming gap between the end of the shuttle program and whatever follows.
JustAnAdjunct 2 years ago
@PJMDS
I am all for robotic exploration, problem is, their robots! They do not take human presence beyond earth. Kinda the point of human spaceflight right?
And it's a very worthy thing to do for many reasons. It may be the most important thing humans ever do.
CessnaDriver2 2 years ago
@PJMDS I think robots have a very good place in the space program. So do people. Robots are there to help people both working together are far more capable than anyone alone.
valcan321 2 years ago
Clearly the Obama plan (if it can even be called a plan) is in serious trouble.
Astronauts, engineers, scientists and much of the space community is clearly lining up against it. It will not survive intact that is becoming very obvious. This senate hearing is proof of that.
Americans want a NASA that sends humans into space and has GOALS! Like the Moon and Mars. It's that simple. Not subisidize out it's funds to a nascent and unproven commercial industry.
CessnaDriver2 2 years ago
Personally I'm not for or against "the Obama plan", because I don't know enough (I'm not even a USA citizen and I don't feel like watching this 2 hour video...), but I agree that it seems important to have well defined goals in space programs.
hyhhy 2 years ago
USA needs to give much more money to NASA and much less to the military because the future of mankind is to go together to space, not to fight each other.
PJMDS 2 years ago 4
@PJMDS In what way does Iran, or North korea want to go together to space?
Or china whos space agency is entirely military?
A united mankind or world without war is a foolish dream of westernized people. No one else is that arrogant.
valcan321 2 years ago