2007-05-02 19:55:51 · 8 answers · asked by melvenwong 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Space shuttles cost a lot of money to run and maintain. The technology is also highly outdated. The memory of a calculator has more memory than a space shuttle computer! NASA works on the principle of "if it works, don't mess with it." The space shuttles do their job just fine.
NASA also plans to retire the shuttle in 2010 (although many people are protesting this and say the shuttle should continue to be in service until the next generaton spacecraft, Orion/Ares, is ready to fly), so there's no point in building a new space shuttle if it's only going to be put out of service almost immediately after it's finished being built.
The space shuttle was designed to launch satellites and to help construct the International Space Station. The station, on its current schedule, will be done by 2010. At that point, the shuttles will no longer serve a purpose since satellites are now easier to launch from the ground. At that point, the Orion/Ares craft will take over for journeys to the Moon and beyond.
2007-05-03 03:22:24 · answer #1 · answered by aggieastronaut 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NASA has been having trouble raising money from the American people, other things have taken the tax payer's money as of late. They could certainly build a new space ship, they were able to get to the moon! That was during a time when the American people were trying to out do the Russians in technology and achievement, remember, the Russians were the first to actually get in to space.
NASA has been trying a different approach lately, they are trying to see if the private sector can come up with something better, faster, cheaper. Check out this article on Spaceshipone on CNN, and try searching google or yahoo for more info.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/10/04/spaceshipone.attempt.cnn/index.html
2007-05-02 20:10:06 · answer #2 · answered by dumbfounded 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love it when people ask why something is so besides the reason it is so....
Shuttles cost a lot, and NASA isn't given the funds. That's really all the reason you need to look for.
2007-05-02 21:05:41 · answer #3 · answered by Jason T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason NASA can't "just get new space shuttle" is that there isn't a GM or Ford space shuttle dealership.
2007-05-02 20:54:52 · answer #4 · answered by greenpyro69 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes not only the cost; it is also the time and the sheer difficulty.
If we had access to all the money in the world (and we do) it would still take a number of years. Maybe all of that money and expertise could be better spent in other ways, ya know? Call it 'opportunity cost'.
2007-05-02 20:59:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because NASA is going to get a new type of craft. NASA would be short of funds to both work on the new craft and build the old craft.
2007-05-02 20:00:08 · answer #6 · answered by gregory_dittman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No kidding. Our shuttles belong in the Smithsonian.
2007-05-02 21:34:24 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. Bodhisattva 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
government is putting a stop to them
supposed to be top secret so sshhh!
didn't here it from me!
2007-05-02 19:58:51 · answer #8 · answered by SpaceMan 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋