Hitchhiker's Guide to the Space Station

Say goodbye to the Space Shuttle. One launch took place today, and two others are scheduled; one in September and one in November.

It makes sense to retire the shuttle program. It's a waste of money. But it shouldn't be retired until there's something to replace it with.

What's interesting is that its planned replacement (maybe in 2015?) actually capitalizes on the lessons we learned and the technology we gained during the Apollo missions. It looks like it's not going to be replaced however, at least not by the U.S. Government. Instead, it looks like the U.S. will be relying on contractors to get its payloads into orbit.

Where's the sense of urgency? Doesn't space matter anymore? I believe that space exploration and colonization are the most important things Man can do. Over four decades ago, a decision was made to put a man on the moon within the decade. It happened in just over 8 years, because we wanted it to and we made it happen. The way I see it, there have been three chances since (the 80s, the 90s, the 2000s) to put a man on Mars. We had the capability to make the trip in 1970. Instead, we've been dicking around with the Space Shuttle. And the Space Shuttle isn't capable of landing on the Moon, let alone travel all the way to Mars. Wings are useless in space. What were they thinking?

The Ares (1 and 5) and the Orion capsule are a nice step in the right direction. A big rocket, and something designed to go on the end of a big rocket. These rockets could send everything colonists need to Mars. The Orion capsule could be modified for the trip.

So why are they talking about canceling the program? I'm literally unhappy about this.

We owe it to ourselves and our children (yes, the children) to put a permanent base on Mars. Sure, it's possible for the free market economy to put people there eventually. I'm not opposed to contracting out the work. But I'm opposed to anything that can delay a Martian base to a time that I'm not alive to see it. Especially since we should have had people on Mars in the 80s, when I was in my teens.

Life is going to suck if Constellation gets cancelled. Uncle Sam will be the hitchhiker nobody wants to give a ride to.