In my home I have explained the harsh reality of never having manned space
flight again.
It was a pretty convincing argument. I picture it as our population being
stranded here
on Earth with it's depleting resources with no way of getting to an alternate
site.

That is just one small aspect of it. Is Earth strong enough to support life
forever
with no end? At some point would we have to relocate and start over?

PM



Ahh just 2 points. The end to shuttles and even ISS isnt necessarily the end
to maned spaceflight. As a matrter if fact a LESS EXPENSIVE manned ship just
might get us moving again. Doing essentially the same round and round
endlessely while having folks die because of management errors, now THAT can
kill manned space

Imagine putting the money we toss down the shuttles blackhole budget on a new
capsule system to orbit? Lower costs, more flights, cargo version?

Remember the shuttles yearly budget divided by its flight rate of about 4 per
year

EQUALS ONE BILLION PER FLIGHT

Certinally we can do better than this!

Were like a family with a old worn out car. It costing a fortune to keep on the
road. Its old design isnt as safe, practical, or cost effective anymore.

But the replacement cost is just so much we cant afford a new one, and only
bite the bullet when theres no choice.

NASA studies new designs but never bends any metal. For two solid reasons.

1 Too many jobs and money are dependent on the existing program. That standing
amy would shrink dramatically with a new system. No one really wants to see
people loose their jobs. The culture remembers the end of apollo, where every
flight meant more layoffs.

2 The cost to design and build a new system for NASA is just too much. They
doint have the bucks. They are all being spent on the old car

I fear it will take one or two more lost vehicles and crew to get a new low
cost practical launch system.

Now back to your original point. That we must be in space to keep the species
alive. I agree completely but sadly the present system is a hindrance rather
than a help. Shuttles are tying up resources and have little to show for it.