Bill Nelson smiled and continued to explain: "Ten years ago, technologies such as engine propulsion and insulation maintenance were not as mature as they are now. Today's aerospace technology is not comparable to that of more than ten years ago."
"Whether it is SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launch vehicle or the new insulation tile technology, it can significantly reduce the cost of launching a space shuttle."
"and....."
After a slight pause, Bill Nelson glanced around the audience and continued: "And we don't necessarily need to build such a huge space shuttle like before."
"Compared to Atlantis and other series, NASA has inspected our market some time ago. Whether it is SpaceX, Sierra Nevada Corporation, or Boeing, they are vigorously developing commercial manned spaceflight business."
"Sierra Nevada Corporation has even built the first 'Tenacity' space shuttle, which has passed key tests and is currently planning its first launch."
"Although it is much smaller than the Atlantis series, it is still planned to be able to carry seven passengers to low-Earth orbit. For us, it is currently sufficient."
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! "And more importantly, the funds it consumed were only one-fifth of the construction cost of Atlantis, less than 500 million meters of gold.
"
"Compared to more than ten years ago, we now have a large number of outstanding private aerospace companies. We only need to provide them with some small help and integrate their strengths to form sufficient progress in space security.
Deterrence!"
Having said this, Bill Nelson paused for a moment, took a deep breath and continued: "So, I propose to launch a new space shuttle!"
........
One year after a major mistake occurred in the Artemis plan to return to the moon, NASA once again circulated relevant news that NASA will restart the space shuttle program again and confirmed the manned moon landing and Mars exploration projects.
Once the relevant news leaked out, it caused an uproar in countries around the world.
On July 8, 2011, the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis was successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
This is the 135th launch in the United States' 30-year-old space shuttle program, and it is also the last flight of all American space shuttles.
On July 21, 2011, the space shuttle Atlantis landed at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Subsequently, NASA officially announced the collective retirement of all space shuttles.
At that time, this aerospace technology, which could be used repeatedly, entered into space repeatedly, and carried a large load, could be described as a black technology, officially disappeared from the eyes of all countries.
It was not until 2021, after ten years, that the space shuttle "Xinghai" of the China Xinghai Research Institute set sail again, and this majestic and beautiful figure came into the eyes of the public again.
At that time, everyone was speculating whether the United States would choose to restart its own space shuttle program after China's space shuttle took off.
But with the Artemis plan to return to the moon and the use of manned spacecraft, this heated discussion officially came to an end.
However, no one expected that one year after major problems occurred in the Artemis project, manned landing on the moon, and return to the moon, NASA leaked information that they would restart the space shuttle.
The relevant news quickly attracted the attention of the American media. At the NASA headquarters in Washington, Director Bill Nelson was crouched down by the media being interviewed.
In other words, he simply did not hide from the media reporters who were trying to interview him.
"Hello Director Nielsen, I am a media reporter from the Washington Post. I would like to ask if the rumor that NASA will restart the use of space shuttles is true."
Bill Nelson: "It's true. NASA has recently submitted a report to Congress on restarting the use of the space shuttle."
"Director Nelson, we all know that space shuttles such as Atlantis were decommissioned and no longer used after completing their missions more than ten years ago. Including the previous Artemis project, it was also completed through manned spacecraft.
Can Atlantis and other space shuttles perform normal space missions if they restart rashly? Is the safety of astronauts adequately guaranteed?"
Bill Nelson smiled and said: "This issue will be kept confidential for the time being, but there is no doubt that NASA and the United States will put the safety of astronauts' lives first."
"Even on the moon or Mars, we will do everything we can to ensure their safety and take them home! This is our promise and what we have always done!"
As soon as Bill Nelson finished speaking, the reporters standing there applauded.
Although the Artemis moon landing failed, NASA did fulfill its promise and found a way to bring the astronauts back from the moon.
Although it was China's Xinghai space shuttle that brought them back, they did do it.
Soon, others in the crowd eagerly continued to ask questions.
"Mr. Director, we all know that China has achieved great success in the space shuttle project. What I want to ask you is, is NASA's decision to restart the space shuttle influenced by China?"
Upon hearing this question, Bill Nelson glanced at the reporter with no emotion in his eyes.
This question is simply nonsense.
If China's Xinghai had not achieved great success in the aerospace field and had actually threatened space security, Mr. T would have been crazy and would have agreed to restart the space shuttle at the meeting.
After all, even the Sierra Nevada Corporation’s small and medium-sized ‘Endurance’ space shuttle costs hundreds of millions of dollars.
This is much more expensive than launching a manned spacecraft.
Of course, logic is logic, and Bill Nelson could not admit this, so he simply refuted it.
"This statement is baseless. We built the space shuttle half a century ago and successfully conducted hundreds of manned space activities. If you want to count, China's Xinghai space shuttle is undoubtedly
It only started due to the influence of our country, the United States."
"There is no doubt that we have richer experience in the space shuttle field!"
Chapter completed!