A prediction--redux

[Neopeius]

Four years ago, the day Bush unveiled his new plan to take us back to the moon, I made the prediction in this forum that the yet to be named Ares spacecraft would never fly, would never send a single person to the moon.

This was even before Bush took out all references to the program in his State of the Union address, filling the gaping hole with talk of being tough on steroids.

Here we are four years later and the Ares program has suffered several delays and a recent booster explosion. More importantly, we've got a new president with a huge economic crisis and a distaste for the soon to be former head of state.

I stand by my prediction, and I'll even give it more teeth: I think the Ares program will be canceled before the end of Obama's first term. It was a boondoggle to begin with, and in a time of impending cuts, it'll be at the top of the list.

 

[Cicero]

Four years ago, the day Bush unveiled his new plan to take us back to the moon, I made the prediction in this forum that the yet to be named Ares spacecraft would never fly, would never send a single person to the moon.

This was even before Bush took out all references to the program in his State of the Union address, filling the gaping hole with talk of being tough on steroids.

Here we are four years later and the Ares program has suffered several delays and a recent booster explosion. More importantly, we've got a new president with a huge economic crisis and a distaste for the soon to be former head of state.

I stand by my prediction, and I'll even give it more teeth: I think the Ares program will be canceled before the end of Obama's first term. It was a boondoggle to begin with, and in a time of impending cuts, it'll be at the top of the list.

Presumtive President-Elect Obama argued for cuts to NASA (specifically to Constellation) last year and earlier this year, but reversed his position in August. He now seeks to increase NASA's funding by at least $2 billion, including an additional space shuttle mission and a speedier timetable for Constellation.

 

[USS KG5]

Logically though any incoming President has to have the money before he can spend it. Quite rightly Obama will concentrate on his social promises and problems, the foreign policy issues/wars his country is involved in, and the massive global economic crisis, before he puts any cash NASA's way.