Comment by Valentino Martinez on September 20, 2011 at 8:12pm

ATTN: Photo Posters

While we can all agree that a Picture can say a thousand words, more or less--it would be great to get a personal comment from you about the picture you just posted (or may post in the future), unless of course--there is no comment.

Here's my comment...ENJOY!

Wow! 

"NASA on Monday unveiled a plan that will allocate $1.61 billion to private companies that will transport U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station and low Earth orbit.  The program, which will run from July 2012 to April 2014, will provide funds to multiple companies, which must design and maintain spacecraft, launch vehicles, launch services, ground and mission operations, and recovery.

NASA retired its space shuttle fleet over the summer and has since relied on Russian spacecraft to get its astronauts to the ISS (at a price of $50 million per person)."

 

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393238,00.asp

 

What's odd and unique about this concept is that a proven space vehicle (Space Shuttle) is shelved and now serious new monies ($1.61 billion for starters) will be allocated for "multiple companies" to step-in and essentially replace the existing Space Shuttle fleet & mission operations group.  In the meantime Russia's Taxi Fare is $50 million per astronaut which NASA (U.S. Govt.) will pay up until all those new space shuttles are available.  Then who knows how expensive the Taxi Fare will be.

Maybe they should let Ford compete.  A modified Fort Mustang would be one hell of a ride.

Comment