I wonder why it is that John Glenn did not sign. Partisan support for the one in the White House maybe?
It is unfortunate your friends feel the way they do. I guess they get no inspiration from the African American astronauts who have managed to reach for the stars. If there were no space program (on which the US spends a relatively tiny amount of money) then many minority and underprivileged kids will not be able to dream of flying in space or taking part in this lofty and exciting program. Very sad, IMO.
I looked for his name, too. Considering his own recent flight on the shuttle, you’d think he’d want to support this also. Makes you wonder of the corrosiveness of D.C.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011475072_spacefuture30.html
...snip...
Glenn troubled
No one knows what private-sector vehicle will replace Orion if Constellation is canceled, however, or whether there will be sufficient demand to make space travel profitable. That troubles former U.S. Sen. John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, who thinks NASA should take a gradual path to privatization.
“I’m not certain that we’re far enough along yet that the private sector can take up the slack in the whole program. That remains to be seen,” Glenn said.
Well, maybe he is for privatization. Problem is, by the time Barry gets done with our country, there’ll be no one here who’ll be able to afford it.