NASA Safety Hurt by Policy Disputes-Report: (told ya so)

U.S. astronaut safety is threatened by continuing disputes over NASA's direction, as well as by the agency's own rules for new spacecraft designs, according to a high-level federal oversight group. The independent panel warned that U.S. manned exploration of space may face greater risks due to the "lack of clarity and constancy of purpose among NASA, Congress and the White House."

In a report released Thursday, NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel concluded that disputes over the agency's missions and funding levels "can negatively affect worker morale and the ability to attract and maintain" a skilled work force needed to "effectively reduce risk going into the future." The latest concerns about NASA's drift come amid heightened uncertainty over its budget and policy priorities, as the new House Republican leadership begins to spell out a vision for the agency. Veteran GOP lawmakers on committees overseeing NASA generally have strongly opposed White House efforts to turn over core agency functions—including transporting astronauts to and from the international space station—to commercial rocket and spacecraft suppliers and operators.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama's ambitious goal of launching a manned expedition to an asteroid by 2025 hasn't gained much traction inside NASA or among lawmakers.

Source: www.foxnews.com...

Add this with this thread from the other day....:
NASA says it can't afford New Rocket & Spacecraft: (the day has finally come... wtf Obama?)
www.abovetopsecret.com...

And you have the makings of a failed and gutted NASA Space Program.

It wasn't under the Republicans or a Republican POTUS..... just saying.

So, here we go even furhter down in the depths of shame..... Well, at least our credit is good to hitch riders with the Russians.... which just raised the fees/rates for flights...Thanks Putin.

Get human space flight out of NASA. Send astronauts to NAVY Space Command.
NASA has demonstrated that it has no intentions of becoming Star Trek.

reply to post by Larryman


Can't say I disagree with you on that one (NASA intentions).

I just find it hard to believe.

I think things are about to change though. In NASA's favor. For sure in 2012