/sci/ - Science & Math

This video just pisses me off:

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=99084281

Engineering Review Board Meeting Ends With Decision to Continue With Launch Preparations
Fri, 08 Jul 2011 06:45:59 AM GMT+0900

Space Shuttle Atlantis launch preparations continue on schedule despite inclement weather near the launch pad near midday Thursday.

As engineers prepared to move the Rotating Service Structure away from Atlantis, a severe thunderstorm passed overhead, delivering rain and lightning that produced two strikes near the launch pad.

Data review showed the two strikes occurred at 12:31 p.m. and 12:40 p.m. EDT. The first struck the water tower 515 feet (157 meters) from the pad and the second struck the beach area northeast of the pad.

So far, the data review indicates no issues with any systems, including shuttle Atlantis, External Tank, Solid Rocket Boosters, Space Shuttle Main Engines or Ground Support Equipment.

Review of the data will occur again during the traditional “Tanking Weather Meeting” scheduled for 1:30 a.m. Friday, which is the point where managers will decide to proceed with fueling Atlantis’ tank ahead of launch. Fueling is scheduled to start at 2:01 a.m. Friday leading to launch at 11:26 a.m.

Possibility of a scrub is coming up over the audios.

Little goody for those with google earth:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/shuttle_google_earth.html

>>3351787
>http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/shuttle_google_earth.html
This is awesome. Thanks.

>>3351853
No problem.

6 hours 30 minutes till launch

MPS ET Ullage pressure Transducer number 4 has been verified
More info to come.

Coming up on the T minus 3 hours and holding.

Now

Final inspection of the Pad Gantry is underway.

Transponders are switching to launch freqs.

What are you doing in Japan?

>>3353733
I work in telecommunications.

I live in northern Japan and was affected by the tsunami. So my apologies for not giving coverage for the last one. We only recently got internet back in our area.
Lots of chatter as the close out crew does their thing.

>>3353738

That's cool. I was just curious because I had visited Japan once and loved it. The vending machines make me so happy.

Well anyway, I don't want to derail the thread.

Launch probability is now at 60% chance of a go for launch.
6 hours 10 minutes till the launch of the space shuttle.

As this is my last one, And until the major milestone is passed. I'm gonna start posting some golden oldies from previous launch attempts (Mostly minor memes that were made from Kathy winters and other things)

Just an update, all launch criteria in the green right now.

GOOOOOOOOOOO NASA!

Currently no issues are being worked.

Atlantis Tank Filled, Managers Continue to Monitor Weather
Fri, 08 Jul 2011 06:29:34 PM GMT+0900

Fueling of space shuttle Atlantis’s external fuel tank with 535,000 gallons of super cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen was completed slightly ahead of schedule at 4:58 a.m. EDT. Tanking began on time at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A at 2:01 a.m. EDT. The launch team continues to closely monitor the weather throughout the process. Weather remains at a 30 percent chance of favorable weather for liftoff at 11:26 a.m. Teams are not working any issues that would delay the launch.

Nice discussion with Charlie Thompson. No issues being worked ATT.

CRT Timer setup is complete. Flight crew is being eval'd and readied. Breakfeast is soon. Fun times.

Pad crew en-route to CRTCC ATT.

FCO abort advisory checks are being completed at flight control in Houston.

Fun update. We had a valve on the ET close unexpectedly

Valve issue explained as the fuel tank pressure triggered the TCS system to cycle the valve properly.

Launch Team Monitors Weather
Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:20:03 PM GMT+0900

Inside the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the launch team continues to closely monitor the weather. The forecast remains at 30 percent chance of favorable conditions for liftoff at 11:26 a.m. EDT. Teams are not working any issues that would delay the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-135, the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program.

Earlier this morning at Launch Pad 39A, filling of Atlantis' external fuel tank with 535,000 gallons of super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen began on time at 2:01 a.m. and was completed slightly ahead of schedule at 4:58 a.m.

>>3351674

Have you called yourself flight because you love to fly and/or "only feel complete while being up in the sky"? I ask this because that is how flight effects me.

>>3353923
I was called flight on /g/ because during one launch I posted the picture of the flight directors handbook.
The name stuck after that

45 minutes till countdown resumes and we come out of the hold.

bit of a worrying trend developing:

http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=mlb&product=N0R&overlay=11101111&loop=no

Looks like some weather might be moving in by launch time...

Could spell issues for launch

/g/ thread is strongest!

>>3353991
The very same thread I am running. I'm trying dual coverage.

/g/ is the home for launch coverage though. I'm just trying to see if /sci/ generates enough interest to actually move launch and flight coverage to here (Though I likely won't since all I have to look forward to now are unmanned flights)

>>3353997
what a pro....
where did you get the flight book/manual thingy anyways?

>>3354037
L2.

I have a free account due to being military.
You have to pay for services otherwise.

Astronauts Prepare to Head to the Launch Pad
Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:20:05 PM GMT+0900

Space shuttle Atlantis' astronauts are donning their orange launch-and-entry suits in crew quarters and are set to depart at 7:36 a.m. EDT for Launch Pad 39A. The crew will begin boarding Atlantis at 8:06 a.m.

Inside the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the launch team continues to closely monitor the weather. The forecast remains 30 percent "go" with a concern for showers and thunderstorms within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility, flight through precipitation, and cumulus clouds. Liftoff time is 11:26 a.m. Teams are not working any issues that would delay the launch of Atlantis on mission STS-135, the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program.

Crew enroute COLA ID Kicked off.

>>3353927
that's...
I have no words to describe how good that is. Please tell me there is some way of obtaining that short of killing a crew member

>Didn't we just lock in the budget for the next 2 years?
No and the House plan will be changed don't get mad until something gets signed into law.

>>3354139
lol. Subscribe to L2 on nasaspaceflight.com

Here is my battlestation btw:

>>3354044
Yeah I have L2 as well but I have to pay for it.

Also they are supposed to announce the SLS design today.

>>3354161
:o
I have my PC on the left of a large black widescreen monitor and a smaller siver 4:3 monito, and with a bookcase to the right of that. Who's the picture on the wall of?

Watching the death of the US space program live.

U jelly? amerifags? even the chinese have means to get niggers up in space.

Now you have to go to 'rent a ship' from the eurofags and ruskies.

US, meh

The Technology the US had was German anyways. After the german technicians who did it died, the US program died with it. Now the normal order is taking over again.

>>3354185
NASA administrator bolden

>>3354185
Bolden.

What you don't see is the dartboard cut into a rectangle and the darts ready to be thrown at him lol.

Here is my more in depth coverage thread:
>>>/g/18642343

>>3354192
Ahah. Why him?

>>3354198
Because
dartboard

>>3354206
oh, he's <span class="math"> that [/spoiler] guy.

>>3354191
Please stop trolling it's pathetic how obvious it is.

the USA is the only nation developing BEO systems.

We are also developing LEO systems that are cheaper and more advanced then anyone else.

and about the German Tech
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_H._Goddard

>>3354194
Why do you hate Bolden?

>>3354216
>>3354212
/sci/ seem to think you've dissapeared. Thought you should know.

>>3354221
Well I was over at krautchan.

The people there actually know more about science then the people here.

Most of them know calculus

>>3354212

So what? there was a yank playing with fire crackers.

Im talking about this fello (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wernher_von_Braun)) and all the others.
Americans only BUY. they cant be like the german.

>>3354244
Go away, /v/. You make us look bad.

So, what does /sci/ think of the Ares program?

http://www.onlinestupidity.com/

This should be interesting for everyone here. Do not pay attention to the name of the link, it's related to the OP.

>>3354244
Yanks built the Space shuttle the most complex Machine ever built.

Von Braun was retired at that time as well

>>3354259
Cancelled and Shit Design.

SLS will be better

>>3354259
What Ares program LOL

It was scrubbed

>>3351628
Is NASA AE-2 streaming for anyone? It won't even show up for me.

>>3354262

most complex machine ever?? jeez you really must be a nationalist yank from texas aint ya?

The spaceshuttle is nutting but a truck on steroids guided by a calculator.

Dont believe everything theyr saying cuz. thats NOT the most complex machine.

>>3354275
No stream is down. They are showing a delta pad right now. Stick to the highbays for launch site coverage.

>>3354276
But Texas is in the south!

>>3354236
agreed. 4chan/sci/ is one of, if not the least educated science boards on the entire internets.

>>3354270
But isn't SLS and Ares essentially the same thing?

Last I heard, the Constellation Program was scrubbed but not the whole system.

Inb4 NASA kills their own astronaughts which lets them close the space budget which lets them spend all their money on space nukes and wars.

I'm glad they cancelled the space program, it was doing no good for our race. That money should be put to better use such as churches.

>>3354290
They are pretty much.

Congress is making threats once again. I hear they've cancelled the webb telescope (Hubbles replacement)

This is just one of the countless threads that have plagued /sci/ for days, and quite frankly, I'm tired of people coming to NASA's rescue when the majority of the scientific community is rejoicing is end. First of all, the whole idea of NASA has been romanticized by the idea of the Moon and the Space Shuttle, when in reality, private industry is more capable of taking man in to space. Forcing NASA out of the game puts pressure on private industry to move into space. Secondly, NASA is a pawn of the government; if you expect any "progress" from NASA, you best wait a very long time. As soon as private industry realizes the benefits of space, it is going to streamline any and all things regarding space.

The end of the shuttle era and the downsizing of NASA should be welcomed. It means the space community is being pushed toward the private sector

>>3354283
I can't figure out what the first 3 highbay feeds are of. They look like some kind of fabrication bay.

>>3354304

>>3354297
Funding for it wasn't approved by the congressional sub-committee, so as things currently stand we'll be without a decent orbital telescope when Hubble dies. Hopefully it'll be added again at some stage, given it seems to be an entirely unworthy scapegoat.

>>3354304

i agree with you anon. nasa had its run and it did a very good job considering the funding it had. but youre right. if the US is going to make any progress toward space, it better get away from politics.

>>3354304
>Private sector
There's already plenty of pioneers in the private sector. Thing is, it's expensive as shit to get out of Earth's gravity. The profit margin is very low once you amount all the expenses, so only huge corporations can afford to go from designs to actual launch.

>>3354326

True. The cost per kg to get into LEO is only affordable by huge corporations. But private sector is much more streamlined and improves technology much faster than NASA does. The dwindling costs of NASA have prevented it from making any vast improvements to NASA. Now that NASA doesn't have a shuttle program to worry about, it can focus all of its attention on the research the private industry needs to take off. I do not disagree that NASA is important, it is just much better at doing research than pioneering engineering feats such as the space shuttle. Such programs just take away funds for real scientific progress such as the JWST.

>>3354343
The shuttle was supposed to act as a re-orbital satellite as well as a transport vehicle, if I remember correctly. That role looks like it's going to be taken by the X-35 orbital shuttle that the US military seem to have made without anyone noticing.

>>3354357

Even better. At least the huge military budget is taking advantage of the end of the shuttle program. And it is still an improvement to old technology

>>3354357

Wasn't the X-35 orbital shuttle designed by Boeing?

>>3354364
Sounds about right. Its flight path was kept classified but some amateur astronomers found it in LEO, which I think is pretty gosh darned cool.

>>3354343
>it is just much better at doing research than pioneering engineering feats such as the space shuttle
That's really all they've been doing. I really wanted them to see them set up camp on the moon. For research, I mean.

It'll be interesting to see how the private sector will develop. I think it'll be some time before the corporations push the funds into the sector. It's a lot of money we're talking about here.

>>3354372

True. But I think the fact that they are no longer governed by a system that can't prioritize anything (the fed) will open huge doors

>>3354415
I think the doors you symbolize as the Government is just replaced by corporate greed (and it's owners). They only look at profit. If it's not looking good, they won't do it (unless they're extremely ambitious).

I'm not an economist, but I can say it will delay actual progress on the private sector significantly.

>>3354452

That may be true. I didn't say the government has to stop investing in science. That would be a horrible idea, considering they're really the only big investors. NASA/DARPA/mil investing into private corporations for the technology to go to space is a vastly better idea. X-37 is government funded, manufactured by Boeing, and it is expected to be a huge improvement over the shuttle. It would enable NASA to focus on scientific research. Furthermore, the military has already proven the benefits of moving to private industry for technology: all fighter aircraft.

excuse my retartedness
What is their mission ?

>>3354706
Bring stuff to ISS

god damn holding.

Did he say the engines will work in 104%?

>>3354723
>T-Minus 9 minutes..

Fuck yeah, i might stay up and watch this

>..and holding for 40 minutes

What the fuck? What does that even mean?

>>3354746
They're making sure all systems are working and synchronised.

45 minutes left?

Ugh

>>3354732
After it clears some atmospheric pressure zone it will throttle up

>>3354732
100% is what the engines were designed for. Later tests showed they could operate faster safely. They did not re-scale the engine output so the same percents would still correspond to the same lbs of thrust.

THE ONLY SOUDTRACK FOR THIS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I4da00W9fU

>>3354706
anyone care to clear this up? I'm interested as well.

I think its funny how when ever theres a flight, all the stupid people suddenly think they know anything about spaceflight and what NASA should be doing

>>3354811
loads of science experiments
loads of food and water and oxigen

and that's it

ALSO t-6

>>3354821
more like T - 34...

>>3354821
they are also bringing back a broken ammonia pump to find out why it failed

>>3354817
I see you're monitoring /v/, too.

>>>/v/101715051

>>3354706
Need to repair an environmental pump module on the ISS as well

Why do they stop?

>>3354850
Waiting for weather and enviromental report from Houston.

>>3354865
In general. Why is this the last launch?
Money?

>>3354865
The current forecast is that they CAN launch, if you haven't seen.

>>3354874

Obama being an idiot and totally fucking over the space program.

>>3354850
A switching problem. They had to reboot their computers and do some checks again. They would be fine if nothing else went wrong, but they don't want to chance it.

>>3354882
The shuttle program is massively bloated, nobody who knows their shit prefers the shuttle to the next gen rockets NASA are going to be using. The shuttle was, in theory, great. In practice, it's significantly more expensive than single use rockets.

i dont udnerstand, how the fuck are we going to do space travel after this shit then?

>>3354874
It was suppose to retire ~2 years ago but they had buuunch of work left on the ISS so they pushed it back. Even now there is still some left. But, yes basically they didn't get continued funding and they had to do as much as possible with the least amount of launches. These few launches has been planed years in advance, with some maintenance work on the ISS added recently, like replacing the enviro-pump.

>>3354894
We'll be using exclusively russian rockets while the spacex dragon/falcon rockets are finalised for NASA.

>>3354894

>>3354894
try reading, faggot

>>3354894
Warp speed.

Time to invest in some real science.

>>3354905
http://www.furrysinspace.com/

>>3354882
You're a fucking idiot. Obama asked for WAY more funding than Congress has decided to give. He's on our side.

I swear, dumbass little kids always just think it's cool to hate the current president for no reason.

>>3354890
Well even in theory the shuttle was always a more prototypic endeavor, but it's had massive success. The shuttle is obsolete, though, and ending this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The real problem right now is that they're killing the Webb.

>>3354915
Agreed. Fuck congressional science and economy subcommittees with hardly any scientists.

is it 19 mins or 10 mins

>>3354922
Exactly. Why the fuck are politicians who have no experience with the sciences beyond basic high school education making these decisions?

NASA =/= science

>>3354931
19

11:28est is the time

>>3354931
9minutes on the first counter, thats on hold
and the hold counter is 10 minutes or so

>>3354933
I don't know ;_;
When I'm president of the world, you'll need a degree in a hard science to take public office.

>>3354946
A more technocratic approach would make more sense. Leave the scientific quandaries to the people who know their shit, or at least take their advice into consideration. I'm not sure they even consulted any scientific groups while hammering out this budget plan.

THEY ARE "GO"!!!!!!

>>3354946
I dunno. If I have a billion dollars and i have to decide between space research, Public Health and Military, It's hard to decide.

launch weather has no constraints.

Looks like it is going up in 10 minutes

>>3354959
For military, you get less than a week in afghanistan. Public health should be easily overfunded if the same amount people pay in insurance is paid in taxes. Space research is vital if we want to avoid extinction.

>that speech

because the scientific community can speak for the average american. this is a joke

Not sure if you're aware of this, but the current thread is
>>18646619.

>>3354971

A still more glorious dawn awaits...

>>3354978

try justifying the space program, space shuttle, and JWSP to the average american, who is more concerned about the economy

>why program is getting cut
>why you aren't making decisions in Washington

>>3354989
People criticised the voyager plaque for showing people naked. The stupidity of that absolutely astounds me.

>Not listening to guiles theme while watching the countdown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie_R1H9L4eI

>>3354971
We are not ending this mission, we are completing it.

It was nice.
>>3354959
NASA is a minuscule part of the budget. It is completely insignificant. We need to cut on Pentagon spending, Medicare, Medicaid and our military spending but removing our soldiers from dozens of places they need not be.

>>3354995
alt text on xkcd.com/893 sums up how I feel about this.

I don't *care* about the economy. I find it repulsive.

>completely insignificant.
>Medicare, Medicaid

okay, dude

my body is ready

>>3355006

exactly why you aren't running the country.

>mfw China wins mars

>>3355012
Medicare and Medicaid are huge, much bigger drains of money than NASA. What are you talking about?

ENGAGE LAUNCH MUSIC!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ6ABV_Q9qU

>>3355025

Health care > exploring the mysteries of the cosmos

my heart is pounding

>>3355026
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5ts0iUfm5E&feature=artist

more like this

America is a dystopia.

99% of Americans are just bus boys for a few billionaires who could give a shit about space exploration. Priorities? Totally not in order.

It's Friday Friday...Party and Party and YEAH!

FUCK NIGGERS

>-00:00:31

Don't do this to me.

LET'S GET THIS SHIT STARTED

>America

MOTHERFUCKERS

...and we have had a failure.

OH GOD WHAT HAPPENED??

Failure!

oh no D:

>failure

something derped

A failure at t-31? What?

Oh, no. The government didn't provide enough funds to finish the countdown!

Watching you faggots get a harddon over this is hysterical

Serious question here. Why does anybody care?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Pu92St5O0
Good night, sweet prince... ;__;

>>3355070
>>3355070
>>3355070
>>3355070
>>3355070

This so much. Why do you inbreds care so much?

FFFFFFFFFFFFF LOL JUST KIDDING.

LETS DO THIS

>>3355077
>>3355071
>>3355070
Underage faggots detected. Go back to playing CoD, douchebags.

inb4 out of fuel

it's soo... beautiful

FUCK YES

;;;;;;;;;;;;;____________;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

so beautiful

Go on

Here we go!

: ' )

>>3355070

this

"America will continue the dream..." with private industry.

>>3355084
>implying it takes being over the age of 18 to wonder why Americans get wet when somebody talks about this shuttle.

Why do you care so much? Oh, right you're a 13 year old FUCK YEAH AMERICAN patriot.

>not blasting Flight of the Valkyries while watching the final shuttle launch, one of the most beautiful moments in the history of flight - nay- mankind
i seriously hope you guys don't do this

>>3355095
Enjoy your lack of sense of curiosity and exploration. I'd rather my country not toss trillions of dollars into two wars instead of finding peaceable applications for military hardware.

>>3355094
because communism right

150,000 feet in 2 minutes... wow

>>3355100
>assuming assumptions and implying implications

FUCK YEAH

>>3355072


I played this during the launch.


Yes... I cried

;_;7

Launches make me tear up. Especially this one.

>>3355109
>implying you weren't implying I was a 13-year-old shithead
Cool doublethink brosef.

>>3355101

you morons can debate whether the space program is moving to the private sector all you want.

NASA announced it, the government announce it. The end of the shuttle program is proof of that.

ITS GOING THERE.

I played the Deus Ex theme at lift off. It was fucking spectacular.

:')

I love you, science.

Anyone else just see something fly off the shuttle?

>>3355123
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKScAfijnHs

>>3355118
>>3355105
>>3355072

I laugh at and spit on people like you.

>>3355127
Yeah, what the shit?

listened to this, launched at 2nd chorus

5500 MPH.

Jesus fuck.

>cuts to commercial of explosion
>insurance commercial
jesus fucking christ television

I SAW SOMETHING COME OFF THE FUCKING SOLID ROCKET BOOSTER. I KNOW I FUCKING SAW SOMETHING

>>3355134
/b/ in the communications industry

ITT: bunch of fucking babies who want to be astronauts someday

>>3355137
What this gentleman said.

>>3355127
Those are The rockets.


Also it's not unheard of for ice or stuff to hit things. Foam also.

and so the age of america ended

I see no god up there.

>>3355105
>>3355113
>>3355118
>>3355120

pic related

>>3355153
he's invisible you fucking retard

They see me sailin' into that sea of stars, they hatin'

>>3355153

>>3355138
Where the fuck does that thing go?

Or the external fuel tank, for that matter?

>>3355167

>>3355156
I thought he was on the other side of the earth burring dino bones.

>>3355155

I came.

>yfw When little kids can no longer say they want to be an Astronaut when they grow up.

>>3355167
wat? they're going to go to space again in the future...this is just the end of the shuttle program. we aren't done with space.

>>3355164
They fall into the ocean, why do you think they launch from Florida?

>dat tank separation
>ALMOST LIKE DAT SAUCER SEPARATION

>>3355163
He never actually said that

>>3355167
sadfrog.jpg

>>3355175

GLORIOUS

>>3355173
No successor planned yet and budget cuts? It will be a while bro.

>>3355181
The poor fish. ;_;

u can hear the guys getting high in the background lol XD

>>3355164
Nasa knows where it will fall, it goes to a certain spot in the atlantic ocean where they go and retrieve it.

ITT: Underage faggots who didn't grow up watching shuttle launches and therefore don't understand how hugely sentimental this is

>>3355187

>the future
>when NASA gets the money
>never

>>3355167
Silliy kids and their silly dreams
Get real!

>>3355174
because the launch pad is in florida dumbass

Guys is actually the last launch by NASA? Makes me sad

>mfw we still shoot things into space all the time
>called satellites

It's not like we've turned our backs on the cosmos. We've still got the technology. We still send machinery into space all the time. We're just on the verge on defaulting on all our debts and stopped sending people into space for a bit.

>couldn't have done it without engineers

>>3355130
Why's that?

>>3355191

confirmed babies

>>3355200
last *shuttle launch

>come to 4chan to see if talk about shuttle
>trolls trolling trolls
>butthurt political talk
>crying homosexuals
ilovethehumanrace.jpg

>>3355201
Low orbit satellites are pissant.
Bringing a toaster into low orbit doesn't really mean anything.
The shuttle was capable of bringing the largest payload into orbit and it's unlikely to be matched for a long, long time.

>>3355211

Aside from a few telecom or GPS satellites, I don't anticipate NASA putting anything up in space anytime soon. JWST was the last big thing in the books- got cancelled

there is a party in th other room

>>3355223
...Except SpaceX and other companies have already introduced next generation shuttles.

>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202
>>3355202

>"THEN THE DELAY OF THE LAUNCH WAS LIFTED BY THE ENGINEERS"

>>3355228
Has ESA bested NASA so much with Ariane?

>>3355236

hey guise a bunch of homos saved the launch. thank you homos

>>3355234
Bullshit.
SpaceX's crap is barely enough to get a Soyuz sized capsule into ISS docking range.
Not even remotely close to a shuttle.

>>3355223
>Low orbit satellites are pissant.

Hey screw you man.

>>3355238

Doesn't matter. That is all NASA has been reduced to. If anything, NASA isn't going to MORE funding, its going to get less and less

President Barack Obama announced changes to NASA space policy, in his April 15, 2010 space policy speech at Kennedy Space Center, from the Moon-first approach adopted previously under the Vision for Space Exploration and Constellation program to a variety of destinations resembling the flexible path approach.

The new plan calls for NASA to extend the life of the ISS by five years and use launch vehicles designed, manufactured, and operated by private aerospace companies with NASA paying for flights for government astronauts to the ISS and LEO, much like the way private space tourism company Space Adventures bought Soyuz flights from the Russian government for space tourists. Boeing and Lockheed Martin have expressed doubts about the new plan,[57] while other aerospace companies, including SpaceX, have strongly endorsed it.

NASA has selected SpaceX and Orbital Sciences for its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. The first launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 occurred on December 8, 2010;[58] it was the unmanned first spaceflight of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which orbited the Earth. It was the first demonstration flight for the COTS program. On February 8 the idea for a new rocket to replace the aging space shuttle was presented in the form of the Liberty. Mostly a combination of the already existing Ariane 5 and the canceled Ares I; it is thought that it could be finished by 2013, and ready for launch by 2015 if approved.[59]

With the end of the Space Shuttle program after the last Space Shuttle Atlantis mission in July 2011, NASA's 1,100 full-time employees on the Shuttle program will be transferred to other NASA programs. However, contractor employees are not promised work with NASA. Contractor employment on the Space Shuttle program has dropped drastically from 14,000 to around 5,000 over the last five years.[60]

>>3355117
Just admit it, its because of communism, right?

>>3355006
>each one discovered, studied and remembered by the ones who made the irrational decision.

>implying the alien governments that made those irrational decisions don't collapse due to social unrest and their sheer inability to cater to the immediate needs of the people

>>3355261

>designed, manufactured, and operated by private aerospace companies

eat it, NASAfags

The only thing thread has shown is how many homos contribute to this board. I am disappoint.

>yfw someone's wedding memories were ruined thanks to nasa

>>3355278
It would be mind numbingly simple to cater to the needs of the entire planet. If we got our shit together, we could feed nine billion people with an area the size of europe.

The reason we struggle with it is because people seem to think they're entitled to luxury.

>>3355280
>NASA shift to a more sensible strategy
>HAHA NASA YOU SUCK
Yes, well done.

>>3355275
>>3355101

Somebody in the /sci/ community is gay for timberlake. We welcome you with open arms (and open assholes) to /sci/!

>>3355293
>The reason we struggle with it is because people seem to think they're entitled to luxury.

People ARE entitled to luxury, a life without luxury is not worth living. Fuck off.

>>3355308

>>3355313
Assuming you're a troll.

>>3355325
Whatever makes you sleep at night, idiot. Enjoy your bland commoner life.

>>3355313
See. keyword is 'people'
As long as people and humans are part of mankind and humanity, It will never work.
Those who want power are corruptable.
THose who dont want it, become apathic.

I for one look forward to robot overlords.
As long as they are not evil. It will become better

And while this is going on, Obama gave briefing on the economy, and there is a white house press conference on the job growth rate and unemployment in the US

and we wonder why scientists aren't running the country

>>3355319

you

>>3355344

>>3355335
we need Helios

>>3355293
>arguing that the irrational choice of space travel could be made if the cold, rational choice was made everywhere else

Cool story bro, but I'd rather not live in a world controlled by the dictates of scientific rationality. Creation and innovation produces waste, because inevitably some things will fail while others succeed. To argue that we could solve the world's problems by introduced hyperefficient controls implies that that inventiveness is stymied; even if not intented to do so, those controls would limit progress.

Way to sacrifice the advancement of the human waste for your Carl Sagan fantasies.

>>3355335
>I for one look forward to robot overlords.
Yeah, I raged watching I, Robot.

>>3355368
communist

what's that?
your space station is where?
space?
and i'm on earth?
>NO PROBLEM. BE THERE IN A FEW MINUTES


THANK YOU SO MUCH BASED NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
;_;

>>3355408
>human waste

haha oh my god I did just say that didn't I

shit.

>>3355410
I, robot was by Asimov, it's a good book. If you read the other things he's written there are computers that govern civilisation.

>>3355411

Go back to the 60's, McCarthy

>>3355335
>I for one look forward to robot overlords.
As long as they are not evil. It will become better

Yes...
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeboqg4t9vs

>>3355432
Im actually a communist

>>3355469

Good. So you know that Russia is resorting back to its Soviet values and you know the Russians obviously have their shit together in terms of space programs

>>3355622
but their Shuttle was a joke