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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

NASA Axes Space Station Research

Nov. 4, 2005— Scientists who once begged Congress to fund the space station have been notified by NASA that their programs have been canceled as the agency attempts to wrestle its way out of a looming budget deficit just as it begins work on a new space transportation system.

In addition to beginning development of a new manned launch system, expenses to return the shuttle fleet to flight following the 2003 Columbia disaster and delays completing the International Space Station have left NASA with a projected shortfall of up to $5 billion over the next five years, said agency administrator Michael Griffin.

Griffin was called before Congress on Thursday to explain what is going on at NASA.

Story here: dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20051031/nasacuts_spa.html

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Just lay back, drink vodka and watch the Earth go by

[Maddad]

Money has to come from somewhere. If you spend more on one project, then there is less for others. It would be nice if Congress gave NASA a blank check, saying get whatever you want, but that's not going to happen. We have to decide which projects are important, now, and which ones can wait a bit.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I wonder if they could accept funding from other countries to conduct experiments or other activities of interests...for a charge, of course.

[Maddad]

I was just reading, a few minutes ago, an earlier post in which someone (you Joe?) was saying that India planned a Moon short that would cost them only $80 million. My guess is that everything they do there has lower costs. Russia and China may be in a similar situation. The implication is that if we buy from them, we can significantly reduce our own space exploration expenses.