The last test of the FSM-17

ATK Launch Systems conducted the last test of the FSM-17.  The FSM-17 is the flight support motor for the space shuttle.

This, the 52nd test conducted for NASA by ATK was the last test of the motor that has seen 129 shuttle flights.  The tests report data over 258 channels looking at 43 design parameters.

Four more shuttle flights to go.

Meanwhile:  Space X has a Falcon 9 rocket with a Dragon qualification spacecraft sitting on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral in preparation for static firing to collect data from sensors on and around the vehicle prior to an actual launch.

I don’t want to give anybody the wrong impression so I am going to state right up front I am a fan of and wholeheartedly support private space flight and private space flight initiatives.

My whole issue goes to where this whole country is heading.  The leaders are making everything a “crises” when it really isn’t, just to bully their own objectives though, no matter how poorly thought out.  As far as human space flight goes, oh give it to the private industry.  Give what to them?  Sure the private space industry IS going to get there and I am glad of it, but at the moment they are no where near the level that NASA has achieved and I’m sorry, they are going to be a while getting there.  Shutting down human spaceflight in the meantime is just plain nonsense.  Come on people, sure WHEN the private industry is able then YES by all means do it, but not before.

The same sort of thing is going on in this state:  OMG, we got to get rid of a nuclear power plant.  Fine what are you going to replace it with?  Nothing that’s what, some pipe dream of renewable energy is the mantra.  Sure we can do it but we aren’t ready to do it yet.  When we are, fine shut the plant, but not until.  Keep in mind the very ones that are screaming for renewable energy sing a different tune when the windmills go up, oh yeah, NIMBY.  So they talk the talk and play the bully card but when push comes to shove things are different story.

Yep, instead of thinking things through let’s throw the baby out with the bath water and then try and blame somebody else when things don’t go well.  Common sense seems to be dead in American politics, no I mean pretty much completely.   Pity.