John Glenn Wants to Keep NASA Shuttles Flying

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Domestic Issues ,; Obama Administration

(Credit: AP)

Former astronaut and senator John Glenn says it is hard to accept that beginning next year, for the first time since the dawn of the Space Age, the United States will have no way to launch astronauts into space on its own. He released a nine-page paper today laying out his adamant opposition to plans to retire the nation's shuttle fleet, which have been in place since 2004.

"Why terminate a perfectly good system that has been made more safe and reliable through its many years of development?" Glenn asked.

NASA's last shuttle launch is scheduled for this fall. After that, American astronauts will rely on Russian spacecraft to travel to the International Space Station while the space program works on a new heavy-lift rocket, which could take five to 10 years.

Glenn writes that the cost of traveling in Russian spacecraft, at $55.8 million per astronaut, will not save the space program much money. Furthermore, he says, it will discourage research at the space station and dampen its effectiveness as a symbol of U.S. technical expertise and as a source of inspiration. It could also put the space station at risk if Russian spacecraft were to fail.

The 88-year-old Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962 and served as a Democratic senator representing Ohio from 1975 to 1999. He is not the only astronaut to weigh in recently on the future of the space program. Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, and Buzz Aldrin, the second man to stand on the moon, are at odds over President Obama's plans to cancel Constellation, the program to send astronauts back to the moon.

While Mr. Obama's decision to cancel Constellation was part of his new vision for NASA, plans to retire the shuttle fleet have been in place since the Bush administration.

Some lawmakers also oppose canceling Constellation in part because of the potential job losses canceling the program could create, even though the administration says its plan for NASA is a net job creator. NASA announced today that Mr. Obama on Friday submitted a 2011 budget amendment that targets up to $100 million toward spurring regional economic growth and job creation in the aerospace industry, with funding made available from the closure of the Constellation program.

Republican Sen. George LeMieux of Florida released a statement today supporting Glenn's call for additional shuttle flights.

"Relying solely on the Russians for access to space is irresponsible," LeMieux said. "President Obama's ill-conceived plans for NASA will cost Florida thousands of jobs while dismantling a critical workforce and national capability."

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by Tony Cash June 23, 2010 10:27 AM EDT: While I agree that we very much need new propulsion systems and that needs great attention I just can get over mothballing the Space Shuttle. Frankly I don?t have enough knowledge to make a judgment on the cancelling of the ARES rocket program in favor of the new direction, my gut reaction is that I support the decision. I think it?s vital that we keep our technical edge, that?s the only thing we have left, to compete in the world with.

It?s good that we are working with the Russians ?another great spin off of the Space program?, collaborating with a once fearsome enemy in common cause but, taking a vital system off line without a replacement is worrisome.

I?ve been a Town Council member in the past and one thing stands out, people want so many things (Not a bad thing mind you) but what makes it tough is that few want to pay the bill. I don?t know what the answer is other than if people want to keep something like this flying they will need to find a way to pay for it, ?no Buck, no Buck Rogers?. I?m willing, are you?; Reply to this comment


by jmisabel June 21, 2010 11:11 PM EDT: Thank you John Glen. America is number one in space, we need to keep our astronauts safe and it is important to national security to keep our shuttle flying until we have a replacement.

Also thank you CBS for finally giving the truth to the American people.; Reply to this comment


by raydernation June 21, 2010 6:41 PM EDT: Well, like the article stated, this has been in effect (killing off the shuttle program) since the Bush era. Can Obama save it, maybe, l think its to far gone along probably though. Maybe public push back will spur him to try to at least extend it for another 10 years. By that time, the new heavy lift rocket should be in place. That shuttle program has been very successful, save for those two incidents, but, thats expected when you're dealing with rockets. I would hate to see this turned over to the Russians, giving them $55. 8 million per astronaut doesn't make sense. We should and we can figure out how to keep that shuttle program going. Lets do it than.; Reply to this comment


by mike_brevardcounty June 21, 2010 5:10 PM EDT: Glenn states that using the Russian Space Program "will not save the space program much money". What happens to that number when you start calculating all the lost American Jobs transfered to Russia? Seems to me to be a no brainer let alone when you factor in that NASA has been a significant part of the education and technology advancements for this country. America, please wake up this November and send a clear message! BTW, I am indirectly impacted just like almost everyone else.; Reply to this comment

by Lifeson2112 June 21, 2010 2:49 PM EDT

Surrendering America's leadership role in space is foolhardy. This is part of our national security as much as it is about exploration. In my opinion not enough is spent in this area. If the private sector can pull it off, more power to them. But we need something working in the meantime.

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