John Glenn talks U.S. space program: Keep the Shuttles

William Atkins
Tuesday, 22 June 2010 23:14

Science - Space

Former U.S. congressman and astronaut John Glenn says that our future space exploration can't be 'done on the cheap' and we 'must do it right.' He recommends keeping the NASA Space Shuttle fleet.

 

In a June 17, 2010 paper entitled 'Statement of Senator John Glenn (Ret.) Regarding NASA Manned Space Flight' John Glenn states, 'These are critical days for the future of Manned Space Flight. Conflicting views and advice come to the President and Congress from every quarter in the aerospace and science communities. There is good reason for the concern.'

The paper is found on the website of the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State University.

Glenn adds, 'The U.S. for the first time since the beginning of the Space Age will have no way to launch anyone into space - starting next January.'

And, 'For the 'world's greatest spacefaring nation,' that is hard to accept. I do not believe it has to be this way.'

Glenn believes that the NASA space shuttles should not be retired but, instead, should continue to fly until a replacement for the fleet has been found, and that they should fly regardless of how long that takes.

The June 21, 2010 Associated Press article 'John Glenn: Keep space shuttles flying' quotes Mr. Glenn. He states, 'We have a vehicle here, why throw it away? It's working well.'

Page two continues with further comments from Mr. Glenn, along with short-term and long-term suggestions from the former Mercury astronaut.