"Ralph" wrote in message
. ..
Did anyone carry this story today? I found it buried on MSNBC and NY
Times sites. Didn't see anything on the evening broadcast news, too
preoccupied with the latest Brittany Spears meltdown. A shame - this is a
real historic benchmark.
Sucessfully buried and carried in back pages if even mentioned.

Earlier in Janaury, some special events and news to promoted the JPL
effort -- with southern Calfornia defense contractors in attendance.

Jim Van Allen, Pickering and Von Braun (famous photo of the 3 hositing
Explorer 1 model above their heads at news conference in 1958) are all gone.
James Van Allen, last of 3 passed away in August 2006.

1. 17,000 drop of number of jobs (employment) -- convinces many recession is
here.

2. Lack of 50th anniversary coverage -- demonstrates that NASA and US space
program is over.

3. End of American era.