Here is some good news about the development of the Ares rocket and the potential gap between the shuttle and the next gen craft (AP - NASA may be able to speed up launch of moonship):
NASA officials said Wednesday it might be possible to try out its new moon rocketship a year earlier than its current target date of 2015.
That would mean just a four-year gap between the last space shuttle flight and the next-generation spacecraft, instead of five years. Many in Congress, including the two presidential candidates, are troubled by the prospect of the United States having to rely on Russia for trips to the international space station during that time.
NASA is midway through a study looking at ways to move up its March 2015 test launch of the new Ares rocketship with a crew, in case the next president wants that. The new rocket would ultimately return the United States to the moon, but the initial flights would be to the space station.
That would mean just a four-year gap between the last space shuttle flight and the next-generation spacecraft, instead of five years. Many in Congress, including the two presidential candidates, are troubled by the prospect of the United States having to rely on Russia for trips to the international space station during that time.
NASA is midway through a study looking at ways to move up its March 2015 test launch of the new Ares rocketship with a crew, in case the next president wants that. The new rocket would ultimately return the United States to the moon, but the initial flights would be to the space station.
I think it's clear that for now at least, we can say that both McCain and Obama do want that, though how they act after looking at the budget deficit and their desire to cut spending remains to be seen.
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