The space shuttle was sold to America as cheap, safe and reliable. It was none of those.
It cost $196 billion over 40 years, ended the lives of 14 astronauts and managed to make less than half the flights promised.
Yet despite all that, there were some big achievements that weren't promised: major scientific advances, stunning photos of the cosmos, a high-flying vehicle of diplomacy that helped bring Cold War enemies closer, and something to brag about.
Former President George H.W. Bush, who oversaw the early flights, said the shuttle program "authored a truly inspiring chapter in the history of human exploration."
NASA's first space shuttle flight was in April 1981. The 135th and final launch is set for Friday. Once Atlantis lands at the end of a 12-day mission, it and the other two remaining shuttles are officially museum pieces - more expensive than any paintings.
America has done far more for far less. The total price tag for the program was more than twice the $90 billion NASA originally calculated.
Sure tells me that our government personel cannot add. Sure tells me that our government people don't care about my money.
ReplyDeleteIt was reported this morning that Medicare spends more than $196B in 5 months. Considering Obama's economic stimulus bill(s) and $196B over a 40 year period doesn't seem that bad.
ReplyDeleteThink about WHY they go up into space? Why are they taking our money by force and then using it to fly into space?
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck is it all about?