Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


5

NASA Space Flight Review Worries Workers

Thousands of jobs at stake when shuttle retires next year

Share

(Newser) – A NASA review of manned space-flight plans has Kennedy Space Center workers and contractors fearing for their jobs, the Orlando Sentinel reports. A panel will investigate whether rockets set to carry humans into space after the shuttle fleet is retired next year are really NASA’s best bets. Some worry the review could make the delay between shuttle and rockets longer than the expected 5 years.

The shuttle fleet’s retirement will mean 3,500 to 10,000 lost jobs. “The shuttle workforce has been looking for what few opportunities there will be” under the current project, “and even that’s now uncertain,” says a space expert expecting budget cuts. Worries one Kennedy blogger: “This is the beginning of the end of United States manned spaceflight.”

Atlantis, left, and Endeavour are shown on their launch pads at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., April 17, 2009.
Atlantis, left, and Endeavour are shown on their launch pads at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., April 17, 2009.   (AP Photo)
A Kennedy Space Center worker, right, watches as space shuttle Atlantis leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building at Cape Canaveral, Fla., March 31, 2009.
A Kennedy Space Center worker, right, watches as space shuttle Atlantis leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building at Cape Canaveral, Fla., March 31, 2009.   (AP Photo)
STS-119 Mission Specialist John Phillips, second from left, gestures during a post-landing news conference after the space shuttle Discovery landed safely, March 28, 2009 at the Kennedy Space Center.
STS-119 Mission Specialist John Phillips, second from left, gestures during a post-landing news conference after the space shuttle Discovery landed safely, March 28, 2009 at the Kennedy Space Center.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
5 comments
VIEWING:
 
riffran
May 7, 09 12:47 PM CDT
the days of the right stuff are long buried in a beurocratic nightmare of politico's attempting to run the show Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
TerrifiedCitizen
May 7, 09 12:57 PM CDT
Unless NASA management gives us a list of everything the space program has discovered of practical value to our people... not theoretically of value, but proven and implemented value, then the many billions of dollars wasted since the fifties becomes a tragic disaster. We can't even provide our sick and elderly with basic care anymore, but shoot for the stars in hopes of finding a planet better than the one we're already ruining. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
SPH
May 7, 09 2:04 PM CDT
The integrated circuit, Teflon, charge coupled optical devises, Velcro, Mylar, computer technology and Tang to name a few....Further those "theoretical" discoveries you so quickly dismiss have had profound effects in physics, meteorology, and dozens of other disciplines.....To find wasted billions look no further than Iraq.....
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
cornelison
May 7, 09 1:32 PM CDT
People of all ages are interested in going to Mars. I know, I've spoken to them. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
riffran
May 7, 09 2:30 PM CDT
laser, MRE's, biomedical monitors, hyperbarics, advanced medical adhesives, cat scan, MRI, (of course not just NASA, but a lot of military r/d spin offs also)......but I have yet to find a definative list, detailing all of the different tech's in one place Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

148 Stories

 Space Shuttle Lifts Off Safely 

Atlantis heads for space station loaded with spare parts

Nov 16, 09 1:53 PM CST
(Newser) - Space shuttle Atlantis took off without a hitch this afternoon, departing Cape Canaveral, Fla., for the International Space Station. After a cloudy morning, the weather improved and the spacecraft lifted off on schedule at 2:28pm, carrying six astronauts—half of them first-timers in space—and two carriers filled with... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NASA • Atlantis • astronauts • space shuttle • International Space Station • Cape Canaveral • Atlantis Space Shuttle

the final frontier

Shuttle Launch Comes With Real-World 'Tweetup'

NASA Twitter followers get front-row seats

Nov 15, 09 3:01 PM CST
(Newser) - Final preparations for tomorrow's space shuttle launch include inspecting Atlantis, briefing the six-person crew, and making sure followers of NASA's Twitter feed can see from where they're sitting. The first 100 people to register for the event received 2-day passes that include an in-person look at the launch. "I'm... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NASA • social networking • astronauts • space shuttle • International Space Station • Cape Canaveral • Atlantis Space Shuttle • Twitter • tweet • Bobby Satcher

 Ares Test 
 Rocket 
 Blasts Off 

Possible space shuttle replacement launches after long delay

Oct 28, 09 10:51 AM CDT
(Newser) - NASA’s Ares I-X test rocket finally blasted off this morning, after several delays and a storm-foiled first attempt. The $445 million rocket is the first of its kind, and NASA hopes it’ll eventually replace the space shuttle and take astronauts to the moon. Originally it was supposed to... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iraq • NASA • aerospace • rocket • space program • outer space • Ares I • Ares launch video

148 Stories


No permanent boss at NASA ahead of shift
New York Times

Delays for moon landing
Guardian (UK)

What NASA needs in coming years
Orlando Sentinel


Politics  •  Science & Health  •  Technology 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
NASA • study • space • space shuttle • Kennedy Space Center • space flight • rockets • space program • Norman Augustine

from our news partners