No! Anything but that! Not the Last Shuttle Launch!

Dear Mr. President Obama,
Why do you have to shut down the National Air and Space Administration (NASA)‘s shuttle program after 30 great and wonderful years? 

Yes, they’ve had some accidents, but that’s no reason to shut them down! I love space, and I want to be an astronaut that can be put into space by my own country, not Russia! Hmph!

Abby H.   

Dear Abby H.,

I am disappointed to inform you that the shuttle program at NASA is being shut down due to budget reasons. 

I agree with you strongly that NASA’s shuttle program had a wonderful 30 years. But everything comes to an end at some point. 

Building new shuttles just costs too much! There are other things that we, people of the government, have decided are more important then going in space. 

I am sorry to throw cold water on your plans. Obama 2012!

Sincerely,

Mr. President Obama

Please note: These letters are not real, although I did write the President a lengthy letter. All I got back was Dear Student with about three paragraphs. I was upset, alright. You bet!

On July 5, NASA managers met at the Kennedy Space Center and confirmed the last shuttle launch ever: Friday, July 8, 2011 at 11:26 a.m. 

The final space shuttle to go into space is Atlantis. The 12-day trip will wrap up the shuttle program.

Atlantis will fly to the International Space Station (ISS) with a year’s worth of supplies. Four astronauts will be on this splendid last act.

NASA spent the last week testing a new fuel valve that was put in one of the engines aboard Atlantis to fix a leak. 

Technicians also X-rayed support brackets on the external fuel tank (the big reddish-orange tank). Officials say everything looks good.

If you think the shuttle program should be saved, please feel free to comment why. Also why not.

Space out!

Abby Holloway