The surrogate
It begins with a woman who yearns for a baby and another who is willing and able to give her one. You can imagine the motives of the prospective parents. But what about the woman willing to carry a baby, give birth and then walk away?
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama supports the plan developed by the Bush administration to send U.S. astronauts back to the moon by 2020 and on to Mars after that.
But he also expresses "serious concern" that the United States might go five years without being able to send anyone to space on its own, because space shuttles are scheduled to stop flying after 2010, and a replacement spacecraft will not yet be finished.
Obama wants to shorten that time frame during which the United States would likely rely on Russia to send astronauts to the international space station, but says "underfunding by the Bush administration" will make it difficult.
These details are included in a seven-page policy statement the campaign is expected to formally release today. John McCain has previously said he supports the moon-and-Mars exploration strategy, and that he, too, will work to minimize the number of years in which NASA has no way to send astronauts into space.
How would Obama shorten the time frame? He said he supports congressional efforts to add one space shuttle mission to the 10 remaining flights scheduled. Although he plans to "expedite" development of the new spacecraft, his statement does not explain how.
Obama said the U.S. program should be a tool for international diplomacy and technological development, and inspiration for schoolchildren.
He supports exploring space with astronauts as well as robots. He endorses a proposed robotic mission that would fly to Mars, scoop up samples of rocks and soil, and return them to Earth.
He also pledged to strengthen efforts to enlist companies to develop spacecraft for such jobs as ferrying cargo to the space station; to upgrade satellites that monitor climate; re-establish a national council that coordinates NASA missions with defense and other space missions; and seek ways to make satellites and other "space assets" safe from sabotage, while opposing the "weaponization of space."
The statement contains few specifics of how much new money Obama would funnel into the space agency, or where it would come from.
Curtis Krueger can be reached at ckrueger@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8232.
[Last modified: Aug 19, 2008 11:09 AM]
Comments on this article
by CHE
Aug 19, 2008 11:09 AM
THE DEBATE IS OVER AND AL GORE SAYS GOING INTO SPACE PUNCHES HOLES IN EARTHS ATMOSPHERE SWIRLING OZONE AND CAUSING GLOBAL WARMING. OBAMA NEEDS TO KNOW WE CANNOT JUST WILLY NILLY DESTROY THE PLANET. WE NEED TO STAY HOME AND NOT BURN FOSSIL FUELS, ETC.
by Chris
Aug 17, 2008 9:58 PM
He certainly has a clear grasp of the areas that need additional resources and - perhaps more importantly - is hanging on to the VSE.
by Ted
Aug 17, 2008 9:29 PM
What, an Obama "proposal" that is short on specifics? No!! Really? Must be April Fool's Day!
by Greg
Aug 17, 2008 9:24 PM
It's hugely encouraging that Obama's team has listened to people's responses, and is moving away from his earlier juxtapositioning of NASA vs. Education. The proof's in the pudding, of course, but this is really positive.
by Bill
Aug 17, 2008 9:22 PM
Oh my now we will have ferries in space. Don't we have enough on earth in our cities and in your neighbors homes. Why let them take over the space. Soon we will have gay marriages on the moon
by AL
Aug 17, 2008 9:19 PM
NO! We have too many things right here in the USA that need this money.
by Dave
Aug 17, 2008 8:30 PM
Before we start screwing up space wouldn't our money be better spent on our infrastructure here on earth?
by John Edwards
Aug 17, 2008 8:24 PM
Great idea, Obama. Let's ignore the problems on earth to focus on sending people to the moon. I'd like to recommend that ALL politicians get shipped off immediately! Nobama in '08 -- or ever!
by Bill
Aug 17, 2008 8:24 PM
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama supports the plan developed by the Bush administration......
by Amy
Aug 17, 2008 8:24 PM
As usual, Obama's long on talk, short on details. Why should I be surprised that the statement contains "few specifics' of where the money would come from.
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