Apparently NASA is thinking about going back to the future, in a sense:
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) -- NASA may replace its troubled fleet of space shuttles with a new generation of Apollo-type space capsules, a top space agency official said.. . . .
The resurrection of space capsules, which last launched three decades ago, is gaining favor among astronauts, space agency officials and congressional staffers after the shuttle Columbia disaster that killed seven astronauts on February 1.
First, a quibble: the Russians never quit using space capsules, so the only resurrection being done is on the U.S. side.
Second, this isn't really earth-shaking news. Back in high school (in the 80's, kids!) I did a research report on the space program, and learned back then folks have been arguing for a long time for what some have called "Big Dumb Rockets," rather than the complicated and expensive shuttle. My understanding then (and now) is that rockets such as the Russians have always used are much cheaper to operate, and arguably safer.
Still, it will be interesting to see what public reaction is if this comes to pass.
Posted by Jason at September 18, 2003 02:46 PM