NASA reels from climate science setbacks

[n2doc]

March 6, 2011 by Kerry Sheridan

A pair of costly satellite crashes have dealt a major blow to NASA's earth science efforts just as the US space agency faces scrutiny from Congress over whether climate science should be part of its focus at all.

The $424 million Glory satellite to monitor aerosols and the sun's power plunged into the Pacific on Friday shortly after launch, just two years after a similar satellite to study carbon dioxide in the atmosphere met the same fate.

"The loss of the Glory satellite is a tragedy for climate science," said Bruce Wielicki, senior scientist for earth science at NASA's Langley Research Center.

"The time to heal a lost space mission is typically three to seven years depending on budgets and how many spare parts remain from the last instrument builds," he said.

more

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-03-nasa-reels-climate-science-setbacks.html

[wtmusic]

1. .

:tinfoilhat:

[northoftheborder]

2. Conspiracy theories out there?

[BlueJazz]

3. Isn't that like 1/1400 th of the Military budget ???

I mean, Christ!...this information is critical...and we can't afford it ??

Isn't that like saying: "Rats..I've got a flat tire..I guess I'll be walking for a long while."

[n2doc]

4. Yep. Like 2 weeks of Afghanistan

But I sure do feel safer! And I suppose not knowing about these climate thingys will also make me feel safer! :sarcasm:

[Johonny]

5. while people seem so fixed on the shuttle

they seem to fail to notice NASA and its small launch vehicle problems. While we worry about some future heavy lift vehicle and what we would do with it. Actually scientifically important mission live on a shoe string and launch on shaky not often used vehicles. Always amazing.

[pokerfan]

6. Sabotage!

[Phoonzang]

7. Lol. Nice.

I'm surprised I got that.

[pokerfan]

9. I was wondering if anyone would

:hi:

[FiveGoodMen]

8. Yeah, it's tough not to wonder about that.

[w4rma]

10. Sabotaged by a stupid low budget, probably. (nt)