A Fading NASA, Afraid Of Its Own Shadow

Space agencies set two courses, MSNBC
“NASA spokesman Michael Braukas told me that the roadmap was not yet available for public release, but space officials agreed that an initial version of the document would be issued sometime in the next few weeks. Based on viewgraph presentations prepared in advance of this week’s meeting in Kyoto, both paths would eventually get to the moon as well as asteroids. It’s more a question of which destination is targeted first.”
Keith’s note: “Not yet available”. More NASA PAO deflection and answer dodging because no one at the agency wants to take a stance – about anything. This is getting to be pathetic. NASA cannot say what it means – or mean what it says anymore. By the way, has anyone heard Charlie Bolden say anything about this topic – or anything else for that matter – for several months – other than a bland statement in Huntsville the other night (which NASA has yet to post online)NASA leadership, wherefore art thou? Sounds like Charlie is in chronic bunker mode to me.
Oddly enough, while NASA is shy about talking about anything remotely bold these days, DARPA (of all places) is enlightened enough to be looking ahead to interstellar travel – and what technology would be required – and how this could have applications on Earth. Sounds like NASA’s job – you know, “spinoffs”, etc. Of course, NASA Headquarters is trying to stomp this out behind the scenes.
Why is Charlie Bolden so afraid to stand up and speak out? Is the White House telling him to be silent? Does he not care? Or does he simply not ‘get it’?
We’ve already wasted 10% of the 21st century trying to figure out what we are going to do in space.
NASA is in wander mode – absent a “leader”.
Speaking as just one taxpayer, I want more – much more – from my nation’s space agency – than this diffuse, ‘we’ll get back to you – maybe’, space “policy”.
As the Gen Y kids say , “FAIL”