Trump may end funding for ISS

[BigRiJoe]

I'm pleased to read that Robert Zubrin is continuing to criticize the WH proposal to put a manned deep space probe in orbit near the moon. This is a poor expenditure of manned space flight funds. The Chinese are proposing to put an unmanned such probe near the moon for directing unmanned rovers on the moon backside. This idea has considerably more merit. The US proposed space program is a boondoggle waiting to happen. Here are Robert Zubrin's thoughts:

https://mailchi.mp/marssociety/anou...ciety-convention-banquet-1102401?e=480d62ce58

Considerably more merit? Please explain yourself

 

[aerostadt]

Considerably more merit? Please explain yourself

On this issue, which is one of many with regard to the Gateway space station in orbit near the moon, the con's are easy. Sending astronauts to the Gateway is way more expensive and has less operating time (NASA's plan is for the Gateway to be manned for about 30 days) than guiding lunar robots from earth for that matter. NASA has been managing Martian robots for decades. We would still be waiting to explore Mars, if we said we can't have Martian rovers until we have a manned space station around Mars.

 

[RocketT.Coyote]

IIRC, the Orion will come online in time for the ISS to be de-commissioned.