Jay Kersting's Blog

To the moon? Mars? Not with Obama. But…

President Obama scrapped Project Constellation.  For the time being at least.

From Voice of America:

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/american-life/Obamas-2011-Budget-Scraps-83333297.html

Remember, Jimmy Carter scrapped the B-1 Lancer project and Ronald Reagan revived it.  So, it is possible that in 3 years are next President will revive it.

If that happens, the return to the moon and the innovations that could change our lives that go with it are three years further away.  The dreams of young people who MIGHT have been inspired by a revived space program have been shattered.  And, as a parent, that is NOT Change that I will ever believe in.

I put the blame on the George W. Bush Administration for not being bold enough when they proposed this return to the moon and on to Mars plan back in 2004.  In this case, blaming Bush might actually be fair.  Congress shares some of it, but Bush didn’t push the issue.

However, all of that said, I refer you to the words of someone credible on this issue.  When it comes to the “Been there, done that” with America’s space program, Buzz Aldrin is about the tops.  Back in the August 2009 issue of Popular Mechanics, Aldrin had this to say.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/air_space/4322647.html

Partnerships with other, friendly, nations is a good means to get back to the moon.  But, as Aldrin says, we need to go beyond.

This is not some “Star Trek” or other science fiction motivated desire.  Hardly.  This is self-preservation.

While misguided, and sometimes STUPID, people like President Obama want to believe the biggest threat to our planet is ourselves, the real problems are out THERE and are not cause by human beings.

Comets.

Asteroids.

Gamma Ray Bursts.

Unknowns.

Aliens?

Everyday, if you are awake, you hear reports in the news that debunk man-made global warming.  You hear, again…IF you are paying attention, to the fact that Albert Arnold Gore, Junior, is a human manure spreader.  A fear mongering fool who piles more on himself, and further exposes that he has no credibility.

Anyhow, back to the subject.  President Obama cuts NASA funding.  While, in general, I see this as a HUGE mistake, I think there could be an unintended consequence.  And this, if it happens, could be a GREAT thing.  Especially from a President who thinks that private industry is the enemy.

Apparently, there is a plan to open the facilities at Kennedy Space Center to private space companies. 

For someone like me who KNOWS that private industry, when allowed to, can do things better, faster and cheaper than the government can, this is GREAT news.  This could save thousands of jobs….in a real way, not with Joe Biden’s flawed mathematics.

Sir Richard Branson is a leader in space tourism, well outside of the Russian space program.  He wouldn’t need to use KSC, but his ventures could inspire others to head to the Space Coast.

If that was to happen, wouldn’t that be a kick in the pants. 

Life gave the American Space Program lemons.  Hopefully, the private sector can turn it into lemonade.