Relying on the Russians for space travel. How embarrassing.

    Jan. 14, 2011
    When the Space Shuttle makes it last flight, which is now scheduled for Feb. 24, the U.S. will be dependent on Russia for rides to and from the Space Station. As someone who lived through most of the Cold War, this isn't the way space exploration was ...

    When the Space Shuttle makes it last flight, which is now scheduled for Feb. 24, the U.S. will be dependent on Russia for rides to and from the Space Station. As someone who lived through most of the Cold War, this isn't the way space exploration was supposed to go. I realize the Station was a grand, joint-UN kind of venture, but we all know who did the heavy lifting. The bigwigs and old-timers at NASA can't be proud of this situation.

    Any other armchair astronauts out there think this is kind of crazy?

    P.S. I'd still jump at the chance to spend a few months on the Space Station.

    About the Author

    Stephen Mraz Blog | Senior Editor

    Steve serves as Senior Editor of Machine Design.  He has 23 years of service and has a B.S. Biomedical Engineering from CWRU. Steve was a E-2C Hawkeye Naval Flight Officer in the U.S. Navy. He is currently responsible for areas such as aerospace, defense, and medical.

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