Comments:End of an era: Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on final mission in program

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"...amid uncertainty about the American space program's and NASA's future." Uncertainty? really?? I thought NASA already laid out it's goals and plans for the future in a huge report, which includes making a manned mission to Mars the next major priority.

The future of NASA's space program is the subject of much debate in Congress and elsewhere, since President Obama cancelled the w: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 w:International Space Station and back.

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

So what's the next project NASA's going to work on? I hope the space program continues to do the great work it's always done.

They're planning a manned mission to Mars. With perhaps a return to the moon in between.