The President's decision to walk away from the current moon project is not going over well. Not surprisingly, the congressional representatives in Florida are not too happy to be losing high paying jobs in a bad economy. The Tampa papers were talking about Florida's loss of 7,000 Space Shuttle related jobs, even as the private sector comes in to take up some of the slack (estimated at about 1,700). But the concerns go beyond this as well.Charles Krauthammer is particularly incensed, stating "Of course, the administration presents the abdication as a great leap forward." He goes on to say, "It would be swell for private companies to take over launching astronauts..but they cannot do it." It is always interesting to watch a staunch conservative supporting federal spending (in this case) and stepping all over the private sector. He even jabs at the Russians and private markets together, explaining that they understand the nature of monopoly under capitalism. But his concern is still understandable. "By the end of the year, there will be no Space Shuttle, no U.S. manned space program, no way for us to get into space...In the interim, space will be owned by Russia and then China."
The families of astronauts also chimed in, asking the Administration to recommit to a 2020 moonshot. The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, in a letter to the President, stated
In order to honor those astronauts and their families who have sacrificed for all of the benefits of human exploration, and to allow Americans continued pride in our space program, we urge you to vigorously support uninterrupted continuation of U.S. human space flight systems, including the Space Shuttle, and to maintain NASA’s leadership in space exploration.
Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has also introduced legislation to fund NASA in order to keep NASA vibrant for the time being rather than rely on the Russians for trips to the Space Station.
Instead of sending up a white flag for our nation's premier science agency, I believe we must close the gap in human spaceflight. To do so, I have introduced legislation allowing NASA to extend the shuttle's service while work continues on development of the next generation of space vehicle. My legislation will make the retirement of the shuttle dependent on the availability of a replacement ship or until NASA determines that the space shuttle's capabilities are not needed to keep the space station viable. The measure will also provide acceleration of the nation's human spaceflight programs to ensure we continue to have future access to space.
Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt simply stated "It's bad for the country...This administration really doe not believe in American exceptionalism."
However, not all astronauts are on the same side on this issue. Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin states "Many said the president's decision was misguided, short-sighted and disappointing. Having the experience of walking on the moon's surface on the Apollo 11 mission, I think he made the right call. If we follow the president's plan, our next destination in space, Mars, will be within our reach."
We shall hear more from the President on April 15th. I hope he can recharge the nation and lay down a supportable doctrine.