Purdue Prof.: U.S. at crossroads in human spaceflight
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The future of human spaceflight is uncertain for the United States as the space shuttle is retired later this year following two final missions, said a Purdue historian who specializes in the Space Age and aviation.
The shuttle Endeavour is scheduled for its final mission on April 29. Andrew Feustel, a Purdue alumnus and NASA astronaut, is scheduled to make three spacewalks during the 14-day mission to the International Space Station. One additional mission, the 135th in the shuttle program, is scheduled before the fleet is retired from service. The final mission is scheduled for June 28 to deliver supplies, logistics and spare parts to the space station.
The conclusion of the shuttle program signals a turning point in the U.S space program, said Michael G. Smith, a Purdue associate professor of history who teaches courses on the history of the Space Age and aviation.
"It represents the end of U.S. dominance in space," he said. "Once we retire the shuttle, the United States will not be able to launch heavy-lift cargoes, or even human beings, without a replacement or using the Russian Soyuz as a ferry for hire."
The space shuttle's development began toward the end of the Apollo era. However, as the shuttle is readied for retirement, U.S. officials are still debating the future of human spaceflight while emphasizing the potential for commercial opportunities, Smith said.
"It's exciting, in a way, because we're promoting private entrepreneurship of piloted spacecraft and a launch system for cargo," Smith said. "But do we want our astronauts, who are so talented and well trained, to have to depend, even for a short time, on the Russians or the Chinese to get into space?"
The nation did experience a similar hiatus between the end of the Apollo program and the first space shuttle launch in 1981, he said. The space shuttle's retirement may, too, bring new directions in human spaceflight, Smith said.
Writer: Emil Venere, 765-494-4709, venere@purdue.edu
Source: Michael G. Smith, 765- 494-4132, mgsmith@purdue.edu