Kids & Family

Speak Out: When Will We Return to Space?

Does the Discovery trip end one chapter, or start another?

The Space Shuttle Discovery made its retirement voyage from Florida to Virginia, dazzling spectators who stopped to watch the final flight.

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For those of us who remember the moon walks and the Challenger and Columbia disasters, this was a bittersweet moment. The United States has accomplished so much in space—it seems sad we have to hitch a ride from the Russians to send our scientists to the International Space Station.

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In , Falls Church Patch Editor Andre Taylor met up with Terry Springer, NASA’s lead for communications and education. Springer said NASA is looking into different spacecraft to replace the shuttles but there is no timeframe for when a prototype will be ready.

"NASA is not dead just because the shuttles are retired," Springer said. "There is still a space program."

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Which begs the question, how long do you think it will be before the United States is back in space? Is a space program too expensive? Or is it a vital part of science infrastructure?

 



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