[FPSPACE] Future of ISS and NASA

[Morris Jones]

There seem to be a lot of unresolved questions on the future of Constellation and of NASA's human spaceflight program in general.

One issue that needs to be addressed is NASA's ongoing participation in ISS.

It has been mentioned that funding for US participation does not currently extend beyond 2015, but of course, this could change as budgets are doled out.

But how serious is this? Let's hypothetically consider the possibility that a cash-strapped US government will pull out of the project at this date. Orion will not be ready for crews before this date. Pressure from overdependence on Russian Soyuz flights will surely rattle some people in the Beltway. It could be a difficult situation for bean counters and lawmakers. Pulling out of ISS could reduce dependence on Russia and save money for NASA's next projects.

Sure, this is a worst-case scenario, but we can't realistically ignore any possibility. Things are very strange with the entire space program, both economically and politically.

Of course, it would also complicate the near-term objectives for Orion. What would you do with Orion in Earth orbit, without ISS? Could the USA elect to withdraw temporarily from ISS, then return like a prodigal son and start sending crews back there?

Morris Jones
Sydney






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