Congress to kill NASA's plan to capture an asteroid.

[ChrisMC]

This is why private industries will be the ones to expand us further into space. Ben Bova's stuff is looking more and more likely.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9240192/Congress_looks_to_kill_NASA_s_plan_to_capture_an_asteroid

[davekill]

Is it on or off?
June 17,

"NASA picks 8 new astronauts, 4 of them women -

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said these new candidates will help lead the first human mission to an asteroid in the 2020s, and then Mars, sometime in the following decade."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57589662/nasa-picks-8-new-astronauts-4-of-them-women/

If they proceed with this plan..."However, NASA's plan to capture an asteroid and move it into Earth's orbit may be one of the space agency's more attention-grabbing missions."

I'd feel better if they parked it in on of the five lagrange points and not in orbit.

[davekill]

Is it on or off?
June 17,

"NASA picks 8 new astronauts, 4 of them women -

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said these new candidates will help lead the first human mission to an asteroid in the 2020s, and then Mars, sometime in the following decade."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57589662/nasa-picks-8-new-astronauts-4-of-them-women/

According to the Computer world article - If they proceed with this plan..."However, NASA's plan to capture an asteroid and move it into Earth's orbit may be one of the space agency's more attention-grabbing missions."

I'd feel better if they parked it in on of the five lagrange points and not in orbit.

[Bromptonboy]

Good point Chris.

[terpette]

As far as I know, the asteroid project is still on, though given today's NASA climate, it will probably be a public/private partnership. Granted, I get my NASA news from the public site like everyone else (as honestly, employees don't have any secret knowledge), but as of the last week or two, I haven't heard of this being taken off the drawing board.

[ChrisMC]

Glad to hear that! Thanks for the info.

[Bromptonboy]

Ok Chris - we still might make it to the belt yet..