NASA says it can't afford new rocket, spacecraft

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jePZbwASgoEt2lUgCwsgJjMYDAsg?docId=CNG.8622673c3d228d428029a3d9d038985f.9b1

NASA says it can't afford new rocket, spacecraft

By Jean-Louis Santini (AFP) – 8 hours ago

WASHINGTON — NASA this week told Congress it cannot afford to build a new heavy-lift rocket and spacecraft to replace the retiring space shuttle program within the timeframe and budget approved by lawmakers.

The plan to make a first launch of a new rocket and space capsule to carry astronauts by 2016 "does not appear to be possible" within the projected budget, NASA said in a report to legislators.

Four members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation shot back that the plan is not optional and that the US space agency must find a way.

"The production of a heavy-lift rocket and capsule is not optional. It's the law," said a joint statement issued late Wednesday by Senators John Rockefeller, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Bill Nelson and David Vitter.

[Warren DeMontague]

1. A heavy lift rocket should be the first priority.

It's atrocious, after all this time, that we don't have anything more powerful than... what, the Delta?

[Johonny]

4. ? The Delta IV's rather new started 2002

[Warren DeMontague]

5. I know. But we're nowhere close to the lift capability we had with the Saturn V.

Really, we need something bigger.

[dkofos]

2. Area 51 has alien technology. Give it to the chinese and they will reverse engineer it for you.

[Agony]

3. Time to privatize it!

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