Posted by Ray Katz in Mars, NASA, current, moon
Commission to Congress: Continue or end manned space exploration
Augustine Commission: No cover for Congress.
I love the Augustine Commission. They told it straight: either put up or shut up. No bucks, no Buck Rogers.
The last two Bush administrations (the senior and junior) outlined expansive visions for space exploration. And then, they offered paltry budgets which made that vision impossible. Lots of posturing, no commitment.
This time, whatever the outcome, the Augustine Commission has forced Congress to take a stand…and some responsibility…for the future of our manned space program. They can’t say (this time), “we’re going to Mars!” without providing the funding.
As Washington Representative Brian Baird notes: “We’ve got to fish or cut bait.”
My guess is, the money won’t come. And NASA will have to wait around while the Chinese prepare to plant boots on the moon. The next time, the communists may very well beat us to the moon. And America will yawn.
