A. J. Mackenzie has run the numbers on the probability of the new hires flying, given NASA’s current (lack of) plans.
The cynic in me says that the only reason to apply is for a chance to get some training to fly in the private sector.
8 thoughts on “The Last Astronaut Class?”
Comments are closed.
Also, at some point in the 2020s, there will be commercial modules on the ISS, and later commercial space stations. The former could allow for increased crews, which could mean more slots for NASA astronauts depending on the arrangements.
The future is uncertain but with active commercial stations and ISS type of programs, there could be more NASA astronauts in space than now. I don’t know why they wouldn’t send astronauts to tag along on all of these private stations and missions if they could. Even purchasing the services of a company astronaut might not reduce the desire to send NASA employees into space.
Private companies will have the pick of the litter for their astronaut corps but we have a lot more than 18,000 people who are capable of working in space, so things look good if the growth in business is there.
NASA is a relic that has to go away from its present form.
Let all non-private astronauts join the space corps whenever that happens.
From on relic to the next, then? One government organization to another, although with even less well defined goals?
Defined goals are precisely the point. NASA has them in writing and ignores them. One things military organizations do better is most of their goals are result oriented. Not perfectly, but better.
Protecting assets in space seems a reasonably narrow goal.
At least one of this class will be able to say, “I’m the last Dodo.”
Making abolition of NASA manned spaceflight a real possibility is necessary to save it, in my opinion.
When it’s a sacred cow, it becomes an irresistable target for pork. It can be made arbitrarily dysfunctional without fear of being totally slashed. Similarly, internal systemic dysfunction becomes unpunishable.
Only by making outright termination a real possibility can these failure modes be brought under control. Risk averse institutions must be presented with the risk of their demise if they don’t work properly.
I’m disappointed Trump hasn’t already slashed govt. more, but he has made progress (characterized by the MSM as an inability to staff, when cutting staff is the idea!)
“So why did it get so much attention? NASA might argue it was because of the unprecedented interest in becoming an astronaut, with more than 18,000 people submitting applications.”
Yes, a lot of people applied. Including this guy.