When the nation’s space shuttle program ended in July, the United States found itself in the position of having to rely on Russia for manned space flight, notably to ferry crews and supplies between Earth and the international space station.
Five weeks later, it’s apparent just how perilous that position is, and how important it is for the U.S. to move forward with the next generation manned space flight efforts, including the Orion space capsule under construction by Lockheed-Martin in Jefferson County.
The Sept. 21 launch of a Russian rocket to shuttle crews between Earth and the space station is in question after Russian rockets crashed in two separate incidents last month. While crews on board are in no imminent danger, NASA warned Monday that the station — at $100 billion, the most expensive machine ever built — may have to be abandoned later this year as a result.
“The recent technical failures illustrate just how important it is for our country to have a reliable — and safe — alternative for space operations like transporting people and cargo. Orion is that solution,” said Sen. Mark Udall.
Added Rep. Ed Perlmutter: “American astronauts should use American rockets and American capsules.”
We agree.
Colorado channels for Colorado viewers. Given the plethora of cable and satellite TV channels available, you might think letting Four Corners residents get a few Denver channels would be an easy matter. Unfortunately, it’s not.
The issue has dragged on for years, with the latest chapter coming in the form of a report from the Federal Communications Commission outlining alternatives to the designated market area setup that forces La Plata and Montezuma counties to get New Mexico television.
In certain circumstances, this precludes Durango area residents from seeing Broncos games, and it leaves them cut off from the rest of the state when it comes to news programming.
Colorado’s Sen. Michael Bennet has introduced legislation that would allow cable and satellite providers to more easily deliver in-state channels to so-called “orphan counties.”
We look forward to seeing a resolution to this situation so Four Corners residents get the programming they want and should have.
Short Takes is compiled by Denver Post editorial writers and expresses the view of the newspaper’s editorial board.
