Later this year, I believe sometime mid-September, will be the last flight ever of the space shuttle. NASA will begin to implement the new "shuttles" created during project constellation. These new designs include newer technologies supposedly allowing for better data gathering and traveling further distances than was capable with the space shuttle. There are a few controversies surrounding this new program, the biggest one being the increase of funding required to install or create these vehicles. Obama has already stated that there is not enough money in the budget to afford this project, and has officially stated that this project will not continue to develop. However, there are many advocates trying to appeal to congress to allow the further development of the space program.

Although space exploration may be important, I have to agree with Obama and say that there are more important matters to deal with currently than to send people to mars. OK, so people land on mars, then what? Does our economy get fixed, do jobs improve. We may find interesting things about our past, but is it worth the expense of the people? I personally don't think so, but there are people who disagree.

I personally believe this also to be an end of an era, others may not. The space shuttle has served its purpose for over 40 years, and remains a symbol of space exploration. People may no longer be as interested in the space program, but the space shuttle had major impact on the world at the time, and I don't think we should forget what it helped accomplish. I do understand however, that the space shuttle is inefficient and will not allow us to travel and discover further than we already have. Therefore I am happy that NASA has taken another direction, yet remain grateful to the years of service of the space shuttle.

A quick side note, this post was not meant to become a political debate of whether Obama is a good president or not. That was just for more information, so I would prefer if politics were left out of any discussion, because that is an entirely different, and always dangerous topic. I don't mind if you talk about whether the new program is worth it or not, but try to remain neutral in a political sense.