U.S. President Barack Obama sent Congress a budget on Monday with a record 1.56-trillion-dollar deficit, which calls for an end to the U.S. mission to return to the moon.
"We are proposing canceling the program, not delaying it," Peter Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said during a conference call.
The White House redlined NASA's flagship Constellation program, because it was too costly. The over-budget program includes building a replacement for the space shuttle to allow astronauts to reach low-earth orbit, a new-generation rocket and modules for a moon base.
Obama instead proposed boosting the development of commercial rockets and other vehicles that can ferry U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station.
Funds previously earmarked for the Constellation program would be used for research projects that include robotics and other technologies needed to prepare for an eventual human mission to Mars.
Analysts say getting the cancellation through Congress will be a tough mission for the administration, as lawmakers from Florida and other states with close ties to the space program are likely to oppose moves that could threaten local jobs.
"I, for one, intend to stand up and fight for NASA, and for the thousands of people who stand to lose their jobs," said Senator Bill Nelson from Florida, the base of the space shuttle program.
Source : http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sci/2010-02/02/c_13160039.htm
"We are proposing canceling the program, not delaying it," Peter Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said during a conference call.
The White House redlined NASA's flagship Constellation program, because it was too costly. The over-budget program includes building a replacement for the space shuttle to allow astronauts to reach low-earth orbit, a new-generation rocket and modules for a moon base.
Obama instead proposed boosting the development of commercial rockets and other vehicles that can ferry U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station.
Funds previously earmarked for the Constellation program would be used for research projects that include robotics and other technologies needed to prepare for an eventual human mission to Mars.
Analysts say getting the cancellation through Congress will be a tough mission for the administration, as lawmakers from Florida and other states with close ties to the space program are likely to oppose moves that could threaten local jobs.
"I, for one, intend to stand up and fight for NASA, and for the thousands of people who stand to lose their jobs," said Senator Bill Nelson from Florida, the base of the space shuttle program.
Source : http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sci/2010-02/02/c_13160039.htm
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