US Astronauts to hitch rides... with China..
Presidential science adviser John Holdren, head of the White House Office of Science and Technology, has floated the proposal that in the 5 year projected gap of 2010-2015 when the Space Shuttle is retired but Orion is not ready to go, the US could hitch rides with China.
In the words of Jeremy Clarkson, I would rather have bird flu.
The fact is, however you look at it, space is still an incredibly nationalistic endeavor. That is the whole point of manned space programs these days - to prove that your nation can do it. China, especially, has been incredibly loud and proud over its ability to photocopy the Soyuz and put a couple people in space - which is actually impressive, even with copying the tech from Russia.
From a nationalistic point of view, the fact that we are considering flying with China, the same China which is building up its military with the very specific purpose of defeating the US in a confrontation over Taiwan, is a huge mistake.
I would rather spend billions developing a 2nd launch system or keeping the shuttle running than seeing Americans go to space aboard Chinese rockets. Call me old fashioned, but I think it is a long-term misstep in America's projection of power.
In the words of Jeremy Clarkson, I would rather have bird flu.
The fact is, however you look at it, space is still an incredibly nationalistic endeavor. That is the whole point of manned space programs these days - to prove that your nation can do it. China, especially, has been incredibly loud and proud over its ability to photocopy the Soyuz and put a couple people in space - which is actually impressive, even with copying the tech from Russia.
From a nationalistic point of view, the fact that we are considering flying with China, the same China which is building up its military with the very specific purpose of defeating the US in a confrontation over Taiwan, is a huge mistake.
I would rather spend billions developing a 2nd launch system or keeping the shuttle running than seeing Americans go to space aboard Chinese rockets. Call me old fashioned, but I think it is a long-term misstep in America's projection of power.
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