NASA and Congress are headed in the wrong direction. All missions with HLV and commercial crew(CC) can be based from LEO. The shuttle and future improved shuttles can handle the placement of building blocks into LEO. As pointed out in the three papers referenced in this site, the shuttle has a proven record and well established capabilities. The present direction must be reversed or we are destined for significant failures and extensive delays in these ill-conceived missions. As Aldrin stated we should use and improve the shuttle, this would provide the required support for other missions to MARS, MOON, astroids etc. The way we are proceeding, we are wasting our investment in what we need-- the shuttle and essentially starting from scratch. What will happen is major accidents and subsequent funding issues, long delays and decades go by and the shuttle gathers dust----during this time we are not in space, people loose interest and so on. We have wasted large sums of money and what have we accomplished?
Further, we have placed the ISS in jeopardy and are paying the Russians for seats on vehicles that do not meet NASA manned rating requirements!!!
Additionally, we are giving millions in foreign aid to China, and wasting millions/billions in aid to others. Still, we can't fund shuttle after spending billions on its development.
If this does not make you mad, nothing will.
We must get this message to Congress. Otherwise we are doomed to lack of PREEMINENCE in space. China will be no. 1. We must not let this happen.
Contact your reps/senators and news media and let them know how you feel.
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