Death throes of a moon program

The cancellation of Constellation continues.

In the budget, Congress inserted text that prohibited the Obama administration from cutting funding for the Constellation manned lunar program without their consent. And now the Obama administration is instructing contractors to wind down their work on the program.

It’s hard to imagine Constellation surviving. Although some members of Congress are fighting to keep it—in some form—only a few elements seem likely to survive. For example, the new “command module”, Orion, may survive as an expensive escape pod from the International Space Station. That, in my view, is a waste. Might as well keep it as a theme park ride.

Long death scene for America's moon program

But there is no public groundswell for space exploration. And, people don’t understand the new space plan—one that funds research, but no building or flying of manned spacecraft. That’s promised for the future, after research is complete and new plans are developed.

We’ve heard vague reassurance that we’ll be getting to the moon before Constellation could have, and perhaps manned missions to asteroids and Mars.

But, when it comes to promises for space missions, “perhaps” usually means “never.” Really, when Congress is reluctant to fund unemployment insurance during a deep recession, where and when will they find money to send people to Mars?!

Nonetheless, this is an interesting time for space. Some of the emerging space companies will do great things; others will crash (I hope only figuratively) and burn. And other nations continue sending people into space, while others may enter the arena. Keep an eye on China, Russia, India, the European Space Agency…and perhaps even Brazil.

And keep a wary eye on the United States and NASA…just in case they do anything.