NASA can't do new human exploration without more money

William Atkins
Saturday, 15 August 2009 19:06

Science - Space

The 8/14/09 MercuryNews.com article “Presidential panel concludes NASA can't afford return to moon by 2020” also quotes Ride. She states, “We haven't found a scenario that includes exploration that's viable.”

The MercuryNews article also quotes committee chair Norm Augustine.

He states, “The money available has declined considerably since the program began. On the other hand, the Constellation program has proven to be more difficult than it was thought to be."

Augustine adds, "It will be difficult with the current budget to do anything that's terribly inspiring in the human spaceflight area. On the other hand, there are things you can do to prepare.... It just won't come as soon."

The committee will present to the White House and to the U.S. president its recommendations for viable future options--by the end of the month.

So far, they have not announced any viable options for new human exploration of space that will work with the current budget for NASA. As mentioned, that information is forthcoming, and is due by the end of August 2009.

For additional information on the recommendations of the White House advisory panel, please read the Washington Post article “NASA's Trajectory Unrealistic, Panel Says.”