Orion Medical Blog

The riskiest part of spaceflight undoubtedly is the launch, but just sitting atop a fully fueled rocket certainly would test one’s mettle. To boost the chances of surviving a launch pad accident, NASA is looking to build a high-speed roller coaster as an escape system for crewmembers aboard its new Orion vehicles.

The roller coaster would replace the slidewire baskets that serve as the launch pad evacuation system for shuttle astronauts. When astronauts need to flee the current launch pad system, they can climb into the open baskets that slide down a wire to a bunker. So far, the baskets have never been used.  Read more

Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) today announced the fiscal year 2008 spending bill provides almost $17.5 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which is $150 million above the President’s budget request.

“There is simply too much pressure on NASA’s budget – now and in the future,” said Senator Mikulski. “The only way to reduce the pressure on the budget, and maintain a balanced space program, is to increase our federal commitment to NASA and our national space program.”   Read more