What’s an astronaut without a space shuttle? -Image Source: Hunter Freeman
In case you haven’t heard, NASA’s space shuttle program is winding down, with the last launch set for this summer. As a result, U.S. astronauts are trying to decide what to do next. Yes, they’re left shipless like Captain Kirk in “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock”, after the Enterprise was decommissioned and he discovered that he’s turning into a relic. Somber times indeed. So what’s an astronaut to do without a rocket-powered ride? Learn more after the jump…
According to Endeavour mission specialist Mike Fincke:
“I think all of us, with all the changes that are going on with our country’s space program and NASA, all of us professional astronauts are looking into our hearts to see what we’re going to do next.”
This statement comes in the wake of the CNN report and realization that the way for American astronauts to get to space for the foreseeable future will be aboard Russian rockets. And as we all know, Russia doesn’t have the best reputation for build-quality!
Skip to 1:25 to enjoy the entire scene from the film “Armageddon” where the Russian Cosmonaut saves the day by getting the shuttle working again:
Other thoughts of the situation include the following…
According to Endeavour Commander Mark Kelly: “Flying in space is a very difficult thing to give up…I remember after my last flight thinking, ‘Well, maybe this is the last time I’m gonna do this.’ And, you know, you go a couple of months out and you’re like, ‘Oh, I really hope this is not the end of my flying career.’”
Its sad to see the shuttle go, “Endeavour and the other shuttles have been remarkable successes“, pilot Gregory Johnson said…“We have put satellites up into orbit,” Johnson said. “We have done mapping of the whole topography of the Earth. We have taken up the Hubble Telescope and serviced it several times. And we’ve built this huge space station. The vehicle has done its job.”
Take heart guys, the next spacecraft may be a whole different beast… maybe even a little more Star trek like, rather then the current shape of a giant honking missile. I for one am hopeful that the space program will rise again stronger than before… even if it takes a new superpower to get us to Mars, like India! that would be something, the United States outsourcing NASA!!!
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