Al's Blog – Advice You Can't Refuse

The fight to keep the Constellation program alive ended this week, as most of us knew was inevitable. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 is essentially a cancellation of the ‘return to the moon’ program.  It is the beginning of investment in commercial companies to manufacture rockets for low Earth orbit and it also speeds up the development of heavy-lift rockets for farther missions. This accelerated schedule should help Florida and space manufacturers a little even though the bill dictates NASA must use as many shuttle and Constellation parts as possible (we all need to do our part recycling). It also budgets more than $11 billion to keep the development of the Orion crew capsule going, as well as the design of a new rocket.  The new rocket is hoped to carry Orion to the International Space Station before 2016. Much sooner than Obama’s plan for a rocket that would fly to an asteroid by 2025.

So while the news isn’t good for the Constellation program, some good news did come out of this. We’ll have one more (last?) shuttle launch next year and 2,500 Central Floridians will keep their jobs for 4 – 6 more months. Other jobs will be created by the new rocket’s development (most likely won’t replace the estimated 9,000 job losses expected next year, but…). Commercial companies can continue their programs for the next 3 years with the $1.6 billion already allocated for them; surely Florida will benefit some from these commercial flights. And who knows, maybe one of those missions will end up sending Americans back to the moon.

Although this bill is not guaranteed to become law, it shows us how the funding for NASA is headed and that the shuttle program is nearing an end. Be sure to mark your calendars for the launches targeted for November 1, 2010 and February 26, 2011. Without knowing what the future holds, we can at least experience our Nation’s greatness through these remaining launches.

On a personal note of opinion: I hope the State of Florida can rise to the occasion of this new technology-based future instead of pouting over the past. We need to get back into “competition” mode and do whatever we can to encourage local technologies and business. It doesn’t matter if we’re reaching for the moon or an asteroid, if we’re not doing everything possible to extend our own arm.

President Obama visited the Kennedy Space Center yesterday to deliver his plan for the future of our space program.  He claims he is 100% committed to the space program, and has put in a plan to increase NASA’s budget by $6 billion over the next 5 years. NASA can look forward to building a new space capsule, “Orion” as well as a heavy-lift rocket.  There are also plans to spend $1.9 billion over the next five years to modernize the space center.  President Obama says this will bring in over 2,500 new jobs and that we will be going to Mars in the next 20 or so years.

While this message sounds very positive, the decision (made back in 2004, not by Obama), to end the shuttle program will be displacing approximately 9,000 workers by 2012.  All of the people working within the space program, as well as those who make supplies and materials for the Center, will add to Florida’s (and the country’s) already outrageous unemployment rate.  Companies are already planning to pull out of Florida.

While Obama is attempting to ease the transition of these employees and is offering $40 million to help retrain workers and create new business for the region, this is a small cry from the $2.5 billion that was requested to shut down the shuttle replacement, Constellation.  AND, as mentioned in my previous story, we will be outsourcing service to the space station for the next 10 years.  Isn’t that what got this country in this mess in the first place???  We will lose 9,000 jobs, but gain 2,500 and make other countries the forerunners in space exploration.

Not only is this news upsetting because of the local economy, but from the awe of watching the launches, they are truly AMAZING.  Space Exploration has been an integral part of U.S. history, and an important part of our future.  Our accomplishments have made me proud to be an American, and I do look forward to the advancements to Mars.  Going to the Kennedy Space Center really makes you appreciate how far we have come, and will let you imagine how far we can go.

The Kennedy Space Center is a great place to visit for history, education and fun. They have interactive space flight simulators, guided tours of working space flight facilities, as well as inspiring exhibits.  Don’t miss the rocket garden or the children’s play dome area.  They even have 5-story IMAX theaters that will make you feel as if you are floating with the astronauts!   Tickets are $38 adult/$28 child (ages 3-11) plus tax and are good for 2 days (2^nd day must be used within 7 days of 1^st admission).

Watch the skies next week for Space Shuttle Discovery’s return and mark May 14th on your calendar for the launch of Atlantis (first of final 3). I will certainly miss the shuttle launches, but I do look forward to Americans becoming “Martians”!

Space Shuttle Discovery launches in the dawn's early light

With the hint of light in the early morning skies, Space Shuttle Discovery launched this morning – spectacularly. If you’ve never been to a launch, words simply cannot describe this awesome display of power. Words cannot emulate the extreme amount of American pride each citizen of our country felt this morning as hundreds watched the trail of smoke dissipate into the bluing sky. This morning, I shed a few tears, as I often have during a space shuttle launch. However, today they were not just tears of pride; today, they were also tears of sadness. With so few launches left, this great American example of greatness will no longer be a part of our nation. With so few launches left, thousands of my neighbors will be out of a job. With so few launches left, the state of Florida and future generations will experience a loss unlike any other.

Space Shuttle Discovery traveled into space to deliver supplies to the International Space Station just as the sun began to hint at the horizon this morning.  One of four final shuttle flights NASA will complete before retiring the orbiters we’ve become accustomed to. With other American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts waiting their arrival at the ISS, I wondered, what other country is at the dawn of their space program, waiting to take this opportunity to surpass our nation in space travel and scientific discovery? Russia? Japan? Another country? Wake up Floridians! Wake up America! Those tremors from launch pad 39A this morning should be telling us something!

The moon exploration program, Constellation, has already been canceled. We’ve already been given a date for the ‘end’ of our nation’s support of the space station in 2020. This is, of course, relying on others to provide service to the station for the next 10 years. Other countries and people – not my neighbors who will be filling out job applications and paperwork for unemployment. No, our country will be paying other countries and foreign companies to do our work. Other countries will be the ones making scientific advancements – not the U.S.A. Talk about a trail of smoke!

Today’s launch, with all of its greatness – including marking the most women in space at one time (4) – will be one of our last. The next launch (Atlantis) is scheduled for May 14. Then July 29 the Endeavour is scheduled to launch and then September 16 the Discovery will make its final delivery to the ISS. I strongly urge anyone who has not witnessed a launch to do so. Take the time to gather the children and grandchildren and drive to Kennedy Space Center and experience this great American achievement. Plan a vacation to Florida to include one of these dates. Don’t miss it…you’ll not regret it.

When president Obama visits Florida next week, he will elaborate on his vision for American space exploration. I’ll hold my breath, as I did this morning, that this great American dream will continue to light the dawn’s early skies.