Thread:Comments:End of an era: Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on final mission in program/NASA's future/reply

The future of NASA's space program is the subject of much debate in Congress and elsewhere, since President Obama cancelled the Constellation program and redirected NASA to pursue other plans. This has put the agency and the space program developmentally and fiscally behind. In turn, this creates uncertainty regarding the future of the program itself.

Also, President Obama has claimed that he supports the development of commercial spacecraft; however, it is uncertain as to when these craft will be developed and whether or not they will be a viable means of transportation for U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station and back.

In the mean time, the U.S. is stuck with purchasing seats on the Russian Soyuz (spacecraft), with prices ever-increasing. It is uncertain when the U.S. will be capable of self-sustained human spaceflight again.