When will the US.become more proactive with our space program. Why does the US have to rely on the Russian space program ?

It was a mistake to retire the shuttles without a new program at least planned for roll-out. If we're cut off from access to the station for political reasons and our lack of initiative in developing a new one, its our own fault, and both Congress and the current administration *need* to make it a priority.

The US is being pro-active now. But it's the private companies doing it, not NASA. And that's the way it should be.

The shuttle was cancelled because it was an expensive and dangerous way to get to space, and it was limited to low earth orbit. It soaked up a LOT of money to keep it flying, and it killed 2 crews. If you want details, read Mike Mullane's book, "Riding Rockets" for a start.

And then do look into private industry's efforts to get to space. Capitalism works, guys. Bigelow Aerospace, and Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic are testing launch systems now. SpaceX' Dragon is operational - it has made deliveries to the ISS. Once a few of these companies start launching and operating man-rated craft, you're going to see more and more private operations in orbit - and beyond.

Don't let the media dictate your attitudes towards strangers on the other side of the world. You hate Putin because you were told to by others that that is the appropriate target, without any real understanding of what is going on.

Picking up the "big stick" (manhood issues?) was never the problem, knowing when NOT to pick up the "big stick" has been America's challenge. The greatest temptation of power is the desire to use it.. constantly.

Well, ..., the bottom line is ... we screwed up. Clinton is the one who canceled the shuttle replacement program, GWB Jr. struck the deal with the Russians wrt to ferrying US Astronauts and the purchase of Russian rocket engines (whats wrong with that picture) and Obama has just maintained a flaccid status quo with the space program. So we've now had 24 years of virtual non-action from our government wrt to the space program. It's been severely underfunded for over 40 years and our government has done it's best to financially cripple our best and brightest to the point that we're now in.

Now that there's a crises where is our shuttle fleet? Well it's all sitting in freak'n museums. How can you inspire the next generation (let alone the current generation) to aspire towards greatness when you do nothing great as a county except off shore our resources and fight useless wars?

It's high time we invested in America again and take to space as we once aspired to do.

"Russian Rocket Engines" Because they are better designed and much more efficient than other design AND THEY WERE ALREADY BUILT AND READY TO USE. Why spend another billion on a development program when we could buy the engines for use now and the design features for future use (which we are already doing.)

Actually, The Russian government has announced today that it will no longer cooperate with other nations, including the USA, in support of the ISS after 2020. They plan to go it alone after that. I can't wait.

The funding isn't there. The U.S is simply not in the place to fund a space program that and the citizens don't feel we need one. And yes we do rely on Russia but with a possibility of war that could change we could have a space race for mars who knows.

Why does the US have to rely on the Russian space program ?

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=13404

Well if the Republican congress hadn't cut all the funding then the US might still have one. Unlike the Russians, Europeans and Chinese who think a manned space program is important, although the Europeans might take a few more years do to the market crash of 2007.