2009 is firmly underway! In the next few days, the new US President will take power, government officials, including the current NASA Administrator, will resign, and everything will change.
How will 2009 be different for you? Many of the people I know felt that 2008 was a pretty lousy year. For me, it was mixed, but I can't complain. I am however, like everyone, looking forward to a better year. Prognosticators have been saying that the world economic situation will not improve much during 2009, although there is hope that the absolutely huge bailout/stimulus packages will help to keep things from getting much worse.
So why is there optimism in the air? Maybe just because there is certainty that change will happen in 2009. Many folks just want to put last year behind them. Who knows? Maybe this will become a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Leroy Chiao
Devon Island Expedition
This blog features educational updates on my Devon Island Expedition of July 14-20, 2007. Other sites: spaceref.com/blogs/earthclassroom, www.marsonearth.org
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I myself am looking forward to 2009 immensely. I'm really hoping that Barack Obama can restore honour, respect, & most of all, hope, to the world's leading superpower.
The so called "recession" is, I think, not as big of an issue as the media is making it out to be. There are recessions every 10 years or so, and it's nothing new. The current recession is nowhere near the magnitude of the 1920's, where people were sleeping on the streets. Perhaps some people won't be able to afford that new 42 inch TV, but no-one is starving on the streets yet. Businesses are the bigger victims here, not the consumers. If the media stopped hyping it all up, people would have more confidence to spend, & the situation may improve. Having said that, the economy currently is going nowhere but down, so who knows what 2009 may hold.
2009 looks like it will be a good year for NASA, with 6 Space Shuttle launches planned + the Ares 1-X test flight. Preparations for the first Shuttle mission of 2009, STS-119, are now full steam ahead with Discovery now on the pad at LC-39A.
Latest news now is that Barack Obama has asked General Jonathan Scott Gration to be the new administrator for NASA. Also, the DIRECT launcher proposal is being re-considered by the Obama transition team (a decision I support firmly), as a replacement for the already behind schedule & over-budget, & problematic Ares.
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