U.S. Needs Rational Space Policy Instead Of Mike Griffin's 'Games'

摘要

I am dismayed by Michael Griffin's commentary "Let the Games Begin" [Aug. 29, page 19]. Various syndromes come to mind, such as, "Can't see the forest for the trees" and "Fiddling while Rome burns."A previous administration prematurely, and irresponsibly, terminated the space shuttle. That was premature and irresponsible because we now have no access to space.A previous administration also prematurely, and irresponsibly, directed NASA to develop not one but two space vehicles: Ares 1, a replacement for the space shuttle, and Ares 5, a space exploration lifting vehicle. That was premature and irresponsible because we do not have efficient, advanced-performance rocket engines with which to power either Earth orbiting or space venturing vehicles. Consequently, both Ares 1 and Ares 5 were a waste of public money.