Ares Booster Has Support Over Space Shuttle

A recent poll of readers of the Spaceports Blog revealed a significant 2-to-1 support for the development of the Constellation Ares-1 booster as opposed to a continuation of the Space Transporation System [STS] space shuttle program.

Forty-two percent (42%) of the nearly 500 respondents opted for the rapid development of the Ares-1 rocket booster. Only 20% of the poll participants selected continuation of space shuttle flights.

Eighteen percent (18%) opted to support the development of a new spacecraft to replace the space shuttle other than Ares/Orion. Fourteen percent (14%) suggested that U.S. policymakers opt to contract civil space rocket boosters from private contractors while a mere five percent (5%) said that U.S. rocket boosters should be purchased from foreign launch providers.

The real policy decision is expected from the White House as a new NASA Administrator is named and the future of the space agency workforce direction is determined. Thousands of engineers, scientists, and program managers await.