Obama: "Tear down this (space) wall!"

January 1, 11:51 PMSpace Exploration ExaminerMary Beth Ellis

Previous Next

3 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Space Exploration Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Despite concerns that the Obama administration might pull the plug entirely on manned space exploration, there are signals that the new administration might actually speed up the Mars and Moon missions.  However, it looks like it might not happen in a way NASA wants:  Bloomberg.com suggests that a President Obama will eliminate the walls which currently stand between civilian and military space programs.

NASA isn't a fan of replacing the Ares I, which is currently under development.  The military's Atlas V and Delta IV launch from Cape Canaveral and carry satellites-- but not people.  That could change, however, under budgetary pressures.

If this all sounds familliar, it is.  The impetus, as it was during America's first Moonshot, is foreign compeition.  The Pentagon has expressed concern about China's recent advancements in space exploration.

America's first man-carrying rockets were originally ballsitc missile delivery systems which were modified for human spaceflight.  So in a larger sense, this has been done before-- but that doesn't mean it's a simple task, and it doesn't mean that the engineers at NASA will be at all happy about it.

All before Inauguration Day!  I'll wait here while you get the popcorn.