NASA cancels next astronaut class
Posted: Wed, Apr 4, 2001, 10:34 AM ET (1434 GMT)
NASA has canceled plans to select a new astronaut class later this year, the first such cancellation in over a decade, NASA officials confirmed this week. NASA Watch first reported Tuesday that NASA notified applications to the 2002 class that the agency has decided to delay the next astronaut class until at least 2003. NASA usually selects a new class of astronauts every other year, but is not required to do so: this cancellation is the first since NASA canceled astronaut classes in 1986 and 1988 in the wake of the Challenger accident. Reduced shuttle flight rates — six flights a year instead of eight — and plans to cancel a habitation module for the International Space Station that would have increased its capacity from three to seven were cited as the main reasons for not selecting a new class now. There are 154 members of the astronaut corps currently, including 69 who have yet to make a flight.
NASA has canceled plans to select a new astronaut class later this year, the first such cancellation in over a decade, NASA officials confirmed this week. NASA Watch first reported Tuesday that NASA notified applications to the 2002 class that the agency has decided to delay the next astronaut class until at least 2003. NASA usually selects a new class of astronauts every other year, but is not required to do so: this cancellation is the first since NASA canceled astronaut classes in 1986 and 1988 in the wake of the Challenger accident. Reduced shuttle flight rates — six flights a year instead of eight — and plans to cancel a habitation module for the International Space Station that would have increased its capacity from three to seven were cited as the main reasons for not selecting a new class now. There are 154 members of the astronaut corps currently, including 69 who have yet to make a flight.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, October 29
Rocket Lab CEO reviews successes as company turns 20
Newstalk ZB (New Zealand) — 5:23 am ET (0923 GMT) Starlink marks 5-year anniversary. What to know about Elon Musk's internet business
USA Today — 5:22 am ET (0922 GMT) SpaceX to launch another batch of Starlink satellites from Florida
WKMG-TV — 5:12 am ET (0912 GMT) Good weather ahead for Starlink launch
Spectrum News — 5:12 am ET (0912 GMT) Debrief: SpaceX Falcon 9 To Land With Manufacturing Pod Inside
Aviation Week — 5:12 am ET (0912 GMT) |
