RE: Astronauts back Constellation

Flightglobal:

Sixteen former astronauts have signed a joint statement in support of NASA's Moon return Constellation programme .......

Author: Rob Coppinger

Date: 24 August 2009

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They call this sort of stuff "towing the Party Line".  At least 5 astronauts will be looking for jobs if Constellation/ESAS/Orion/ARES is/are scrapped, so their response is highly understandable.
I think the recent attempts to offer "Plan B" launchers, one of which is a dead ringer for the NASA-maligned DIRECT proposal, are proof positive that Top Brass, in allowing a contractor like ATK to dictate the configuration of the future launcher(s) and the budget-busting costing that resulted from doing so, has lead to the distinct possibility that the latest intake of Astronaut trainees will never make it to a launch pad. Manned Spaceflight for Americans will be limited to sticking out ones' thumb until ISS de-orbits whenever.  Lets hear it for those plucky - and cheap - robots! Wonder what Obama is going to do with the money his saves...chest-thumping probably, about how he's saving the poor old U.S Taxpayer a penny or two! SUCH a disappointment for a Space Enthusiast...