I have never heard anyone say WHEN and WHY NASA quit using the long range cameras to follow the shuttles in during re-entry. I used to enjoy watching them during landings. Does anyone know why they quit using them?
You might think so, indeed.. I'm still waiting for a reply from my friend, will post soon's I hear from `im.
I was thinking though that perhaps those long-range cameras still require the shuttle to be within a certain distance and that perhaps by that time it'd have been too late (?)
They used to have the cameras at both KSC and Edwards air force base. If the cameras were on at Edwards, I'm pretty sure they could have got a good shot of it coming over California. Too bad.
I have a feeling it's due to budget cuts. Perhaps NASA really does need more money to keep our astronauts safe. Bush has pleged to try and get funding for NASA, and whether it is a political stunt or not, NASA needs the money.
With all due respect to NASA - they've done amazing things for the world:
quote:
Originally posted by STS-107 ... whether it is a political stunt or not, NASA needs the money.
... possibly.. then again, one could argue that perhaps NASA is spreading itself too thin and should cut various programs to redirect extraneous spending on the more critical things like keeping astronauts safe. What's more important, chasing comets or bringing that crew back home safely?
NASA is a cash vortex; no matter what you increase spending to, there will always be enough vacuume applied to the vortex to suck the budget dry. And they'll continue branching out and spreading themselves thin until someone slaps them on the wrist and demands otherwise.
Sorry, no - he's incredibly slow with email.. my suspicion is becuase he's often away from the the base there on photo trips (AMES Research Center in Montain View, Ca @ Moffett Field) - So I'm still waiting to hear from him *sigh*
02-24-2003 03:04 AM
*sigh*
