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writer Ted Landphair's America - a new blog on American life. And for the
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the world.
Bush Confident About Financial Bailout Plan
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President says America's economy faces urgent situation, the consequences of
which will grow worse each day lawmakers fail to act
U.S. President George Bush says he is confident there will be a deal to rescue
America's troubled financial sector, a day after lawmakers failed to pass his
$700 billion plan. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, the
bill's failure led to record losses in the U.S. stock market.U.S. President
George W. Bush speaks regarding the economic rescue plan at the White House in
Washington, D.C., 30 Sep 2008President Bush says this is a critical moment for
a U.S. economy that is depending on decisive action from the federal
government."As much as we might wish the situation were different, our country
is not facing a choice between government action and the smooth functioning of
the free market," he said. "We are facing a choice between action and the real
prospect of economic hardship for millions of Americans. For the financial
security of every American, Congress must act."The House of Representatives
Monday rejected the president's plan to buy up mortgage-backed securities that
have lost value during the decline in the housing market.Banks holding these
assets are restricting credit, making it harder for businesses and consumers to
get loans. So President Bush wants Congress to spend as much as $700 billion to
buy up these securities, giving more banks more money to lend.The plan's
failure led to a record 778-point drop of the Dow Jones Industrial
Average.Speaking to reporters at the White House before markets opened Tuesday
morning, Mr. Bush said America's economy is facing an urgent situation, the
consequences of which will grow worse each day lawmakers fail to act."The
dramatic drop in the stock market that we saw yesterday will have a direct
impact on the retirement accounts, pension funds, and personal savings of
millions of our citizens," he said. "And if our nation continues on this
course, the economic damage will be painful and lasting."Public opinion polls
show many Americans oppose the plan. Many of the lawmakers who voted against
the bailout are in competitive races for re-election just over a month before
voters go to the polls.Both major presidential candidates, Democratic Senator
Barack Obama and his rival, Republican Senator John McCain, suggested Tuesday
that the limit on bank deposits guaranteed by the U.S. government should
increase from $100,000 to 250,000. They said that should help small
businesses.Obama and McCain urged lawmakers to keep working on a financial
rescue plan.The president said he understands that this is a difficult vote for
many members of Congress, but he said addressing the problem and helping
restore the economy and job growth is what elected leaders owe the American
people.Mr. Bush sought to reassure investors at home and abroad by saying he is
confident a deal will be reached to rescue the financial sector. He said his
administration is continuing talks with legislative leaders to move forward on
a bill when they return to Capitol Hill Wednesday.
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Global Market Volatility Continues
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World markets mostly lower amid continuing fallout from failure of US House of
Representatives to approve bailout package for troubled financial institutions
World markets are mostly lower amid continuing fallout from the failure of the
U.S. House of Representatives to approve a bailout package for troubled
financial institutions. VOA's Michael Bowman reports from Washington.The
Australian Securities Exchange board is a sea of red as Australian shares fell
3.4 percent in morning trade, 30 Sep 2008Stock markets in Japan and Australia
posted steep losses of more than four percent, while Hong Kong had a modest
gain of less than one percent. Among major European markets, only London was
higher in midday trading, while U.S. markets posted early gains after suffering
the biggest ever single-day point loss Monday.Investors in many countries are
increasingly panicked, according to senior manager Martin Hannecke of the Hong
Kong-based financial firm Tyche Group."There is a huge amount of uncertainty
now," he said. "The investors here have been looking to go into cash [sell
assets] and they have seen substantial losses."Less than an hour before trading
began on Wall Street, President Bush reaffirmed the need for congressional
action to stave off further financial upheaval. Mr. Bush spoke hours after
European leaders pleaded with their American counterparts to avoid further
delay in tackling the situation.German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that she
and the German government expect that a U.S. financial rescue package will be
approved this week, which she described as a vital precondition for creating
new confidence in the markets.Meanwhile, a European Union Commission spokesman
said the United States must take responsibility and show leadership for its own
sake and the sake of the world.Just as the Bush administration has felt
compelled to rescue or take over troubled American financial institutions, two
Belgian banks have now received emergency bailouts. Ireland has moved to
guarantee bank deposits. Central banks around the world have aggressively
injected money into financial systems to counteract tight credit that could
strangle economic expansion.The increasingly-global financial crisis began with
a rash of U.S. home foreclosures after a prolonged period of loose credit that
saw millions of Americans acquire home mortgages they could not afford. U.S.
housing prices have plummeted during the past year, and new figures show
further sharp declines in America's biggest housing markets.Without swift
intervention, the situation will get more grim, according to University of
Maryland Business and Management Professor Peter Morici."We are going to see
[U.S.] unemployment in the double digits if we do not do something fast," he
said. "And we are going to see housing prices stay depressed, banks failing,
the FDIC [Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation] insurance fund running out of
money and the Congress having to bail that out."U.S. congressional leaders have
pledged to renew efforts to pass an economic rescue package later in the
week.
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Nervous European Trade Follows US Congressional Bailout Failure
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Britain's benchmark stock index falls by as much as 3 percent in early trading,
with particularly sharp declines in banking sector
European shares extended gains by midday on Tuesday with banks rebounding from
lows ahead of U.S. President George Bush's speech on the financial sector
rescue package. Britain's benchmark stock index, the FTSE 100, fell by as much
as 3 percent in early trading, with particularly sharp declines in the banking
sector. But it gained some ground a few hours after the market opened. For VOA,
Tom Rivers reports from London.A large screen graph shows the performance of
Britain's FTSE 100 share index in London, Monday 29 Sept. 2008After seeing the
U.S. House of Representatives reject the $700 billion rescue deal, European
markets tried with difficulty to find a meaningful direction.Sharp declines
were seen at the opening, but by midday some of that lost ground had been
clawed back.Despite the midday comeback, however, the battered financial
sector in Europe took steps to stem losses. Belgian-French financial services
group Dexia got a much-needed boost of $9.18 billion from public shareholders
to help it fight the global credit crisis. Ireland also offered to guarantee
all bank deposits for two years to improve banks' access to funds on
international markets.British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says the failure to
pass the U.S. bail out plan is being felt far beyond American shores. Britain's
Prime Minister Gordon Brown "We have obviously sent a message to the White
House about the importance that we attach to taking decisive action in
America," Mr. Brown said. "I think it is true to say however that in recent
times we in Britain have taken decisive steps to ensure the stability of our
system." And following Monday's partial nationalization of the British mortgage
lender Bradford and Bingley, many are concerned that other financial
institutions might be tottering as well on the edge. Given this uncertainty,
Brown gave this assurance. "The Governor of the Bank of England and the
Chancellor and I are making it absolutely clear that we will do whatever is
necessary to ensure the stability of our system to the benefit of families and
businesses across the country," he said. Markets in Europe are now trying to
focus on what the next step will be for rescue-related legislation. Meanwhile,
U.S. stock index futures rose Tuesday, pointing to a partial rebound, as
investors bet that Washington will work to revive a plan to stabilize the U.S.
financial system.In Asia, markets were mixed on Tuesday. In Tokyo, the Nikkei
ended the day just over four percent down, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index
gained nearly one percent.
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India Plays Down Fears of Bank Collapse
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After opening near two-year low, India's major stock indexes recover in Tuesday
trading
India's finance minister is seeking to dispel rumors of an impending major bank
failure, amid the global economic turmoil. After opening near a two-year low,
India's major stock indexes recovered in Tuesday trading, in contrast to most
bourses elsewhere in the region. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from
New Delhi.Stock dealer reacts during intra-day trade in Mumbai, 29 Sep 2008
After early heavy selling of banking, property and information technology
stocks, India's markets reversed course into positive territory. In Mumbai,
the key indexes finished three percent higher. That gave a glimmer of hope
global markets might be able to pull out a tailspin, as investors wait for
American lawmakers to agree on a plan to rescue the U.S. financial system. Most
Asian markets fell. Japan's benchmark Nikkei closed at its lowest level in
three years, despite another huge dose of liquidity - the latest infusion
totaling $28 billion from the country's central bank. The main index in Taiwan
dropped 3.5 percent. But bargain hunters helped boost Hong Kong's Hang Seng a
half of a percent.Investors here worried that India would be next to see a
collapse of a major bank. The country's largest private bank, ICICI, is
demanding a probe by regulators of alleged manipulation of its share price. It
says selling of its stock was taking place as a result of malicious rumors
about its stability. Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram attempted to pour
cold water on such speculation. "All our banks are well capitalized, well
regulated. No Indian depositor need be apprehensive. We're watching the
situation carefully," said Chidambaram. "Of course, we will be greatly helped
if a bail-out package is quickly approved by the U.S. Congress, because we will
not suffer any collateral damage." The Reserve Bank of India says there is no
need for panic and ICICI Bank has enough capital to meet the demands of its
depositors. However, officials acknowledge some worried account holders have
been withdrawing their funds.The Securities and Exchange Board of India added
soothing words from its chairman, who declared that the nation's equities
markets are "resilient" with no indication that financial institutions are
violating short-selling rules. Short-selling allows traders to borrow shares
from brokers that they then sell. When prices drop the traders buy back the
stock and make a profit by returning the shares to the brokers. Economic
forecasts here remain positive about the direction of India's economy. They
say the global credit crisis and possible recession in the United States could
trim growth, but it should stay near eight percent for this year.
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Afghanistan's Karzai Calls for Talks with Taliban
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Hamid Karzai urges Taliban leader Mullah Omar to stop killing his people and
return home to work for peace, security of Afghanistan
Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai has made a call for peace to fugitive
Taliban leader Mullah Omar, saying he has asked the king of Saudi Arabia to
help in talks with the militant group to bring an end to the insurgent
activities. Meanwhile, neighboring Pakistan has named a new head of the
country's spy agency, which is suspected of having ties with Taliban
militants. From Islamabad, Ayaz Gul reports.President Hamid Karzai
(File)President Hamid Karzai disclosed that for the past two years he has been
in regular contact with the king of Saudi Arabia, urging him to facilitate
peace talks between the Afghan government and insurgent Taliban leader, Mullah
Omar. The Afghan president was speaking to reporters in Kabul at the start of
the Muslim festival of Eid-al Fitr. President Karzai says that as a leader of
the Islamic world, he has been urging the Saudi king to help the Afghan
government in establishing peace, security and reconciliation in the country.
He reiterated his call for peace with fugitive Taliban leader, Mullah Omar.
Calling on the insurgent Taliban leader as his brother, the Afghan president
urged Mullah Omar to stop the killing of his people and return home to work for
the peace and security of Afghanistan. But Mr. Karzai denied reports that
Afghan politicians have already held direct talks with Taliban insurgents in
Saudi Arabia. He said that his representatives have traveled to neighboring
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to seek help, but negotiations with insurgents will
only take place inside Afghanistan. Taliban insurgents have long refused to
hold talks with the U.S-backed Karzai administration, saying they will continue
attacks until international troops leave Afghanistan. Insurgent attacks have
intensified in Afghanistan this year, with commanders of the U.S-led coalition
forces calling for increased troop levels to combat the insurgency.A roadside
bomb killed three coalition troops Tuesday in southern Afghanistan.
Taliban-led insurgent attacks have killed more than 220 foreign soldiers in the
country this year, the highest number of casualties since the U.S-led coalition
dislodged the Taliban from power in late 2001. Afghan and Coalition commanders
also allege Taliban insurgents are using sanctuaries in neighboring Pakistan to
launch cross-border attacks. They also suspect that elements in the Pakistani
spy agency, Inter-Services-Intelligence or ISI, are helping the militants.
Pakistan denies the allegation and has appointed Lieutenant General Ahmed
Shujaa Pasha as the new head of the spy agency. He has been overseeing
anti-Taliban operations in the country's volatile tribal regions bordering
Afghanistan, which are know for harboring Taliban and al-Qaida militants.
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At Least 125 Die in India Temple Stampede
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Tragedy occurred when thousands of people had gathered at Chamunda Devi temple
in Jodhpur in Rajasthan to offer prayers at the start of a nine-day Hindu
festival
At least 125 people have been killed and scores of others injured in a
massive stampede at a Hindu temple in the western Indian state,
Rajasthan. From New Delhi, Anjana Pasricha reports Tuesday's stampede
is the latest in a series of similar incidents that have taken place in
different parts of the country. Volunteers carry a stampede victim in
Jodhpur, India, 30 Sep 2008The thousands of devotees who had gathered at
Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, at dawn Tuesday to offer prayers
were hoping to start a nine-day Hindu festival on an auspicious note. But,
for many families, the festival called "Navratri" turned into tragedy, as
hundreds of worshippers were crushed in a huge stampede. Many were killed,
others were injured.Television footage showed a child crying for his father and
devotees and relatives carrying the dead and the injured to rescue
vehicles.Officials say the stampede occurred after some people slipped on a
steep path leading to the temple. The temple is located inside a historic 15th
Century hilltop fort. Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria says there
was a massive crowd at the site. He says the pressure of the crowd on top of
the hill caused people waiting below on the sloping path, to slip. He says
this led to a massive crush, as people kept falling, one after another.
Police Inspector General of Rajasthan Rajiv Dasoth says authorities worked
quickly to help the devotees. "Within one hour, from that hill, very steep
hill, all the injured have been evacuated to different hospitals," he said.
"And, they are being treated and they are being taken care of."Indian
authorities have been criticized for poor crowd control at religious places,
which attract massive crowds during festivals. In the past, similar stampedes
at temples have claimed hundreds of lives.Three other temple stampedes have
been reported from different parts of the country, this year. The most deadly
occurred last month, when a stampede outside a temple - also located on a
hilltop - led to the death of 145 pilgrims in Himachal Pradesh State.
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US Envoy Hopes 'Conversation' in N. Korea Will Save Nuclear Deal
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Christopher Hill says his main agenda is getting agreement to ensure nuclear
declaration Pyongyang made earlier this year is accurate
Washington's main envoy in talks aimed at getting rid of North Korea's nuclear
weapons is in South Korea. He plans to visit Pyongyang to discuss the North's
recent steps toward resuming activity at its main nuclear facility. Meanwhile,
Japan has renewed sanctions against the North, for failure to fulfill its
disarmament promises. VOA Seoul Correspondent Kurt Achin reports.U.S. nuclear
envoy Christopher Hill talks to reporters upon his arrival at the Incheon
International airport west of Seoul, 30 Sep 2008Soon after landing at South
Korea's Incheon Airport, Tuesday, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill
confirmed he will be heading to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang,
Wednesday. He says his main agenda is getting an agreement to ensure the
nuclear declaration North Korea made earlier this year is accurate."We need to
make sure that we are going to be able to verify their declaration," said Hill.
"So let's see if we can come up with measures that will allow us to verify
their declaration."North Korea issued a declaration its nuclear activities as
part of a broader six-nation deal reached last year, that gradually rewards the
North for steps toward getting rid of its nuclear weapons. Senior American and
South Korean officials say, at the time, North Korea made a clear verbal
agreement to agree on a mechanism for confirming the accuracy of its
declaration. For example, verification steps might include random access by
inspectors to suspected nuclear sites.Washington cited North Korea's delay on
arranging verification for its decision to delay the North's removal from a
State Department list of nations suspected of sponsoring terrorism. In
response, North Korea ejected international inspectors and their surveillance
equipment from its main nuclear reprocessing facility at Yongbyon. Pyongyang
vowed to resume activity there by the end of this week.Hill says he knows North
Korea has concerns about verification and says he wants to discuss them
calmly."I know they are reluctant," he said. "Let's see what they say. Let's
sit down and have a conversation and see if we can resolve this matter." In
Tokyo Tuesday, Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said Japan has no
choice but to extend its sanctions against North Korea.He says North Korea has
stopped dismantling its nuclear facilities and is, instead, restarting them.
He says Pyongyang has also failed to investigate the past abduction of Japanese
nationals by North Korean agents, as it had promised to do.Japan imposed
sanctions against North Korea after it tested a nuclear weapon in 2006. They
prohibit trade with North Korea and the docking of North Korean ships in
Japan. The sanctions would have expired next month, but, instead, will
continue for another six months.
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Taiwanese Authorities Struggle to Reassure Public About Milk Powder Imports
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More than 20 Chinese dairy companies found to have adulterated milk products
with melamine, a substance normally used in making plastics
A Taiwan government delegation has returned from China after a three-day trip
to investigate the origin of melamine-contaminated milk powder. Despite
government claims that progress was made in guaranteeing food safety, the
tainted milk scandal has undermined public confidence in Taiwan's Department of
Health. Thibault Worth reports from Taipei.Supermarket employee removes milk
products from shelves in Taipei, 24 Sep 2008Public anger forced Taiwan's health
minister to resign last week after he flip-flopped on the maximum amount of
melamine allowable in food. For weeks, the department has scrambled to process
requests by local manufacturers to certify the safety of their products.Chinese
authorities earlier this month warned that tons of melamine-contaminated milk
powder were exported to Taiwan.The new health minister, Yeh Ching-Chuan, says a
delegation sent to China has established direct communication with food safety
regulators in Beijing. The delegation returned from China on Monday.Yeh says
the two sides established emergency contact points for food safety issues and
will keep communication channels open.He then downed a cup of King Car instant
coffee in a gesture of reassurance. Earlier this month, King Car learned that
several of its products were contaminated with melamine and recalled them after
informing health authorities. Despite Yeh's reassurance, many Taiwanese doubt
the success of the delegation's visit. Chinese officials would not allow the
delegates to inspect any factories.Andrew Yang is with the Chinese Council of
Advanced Policy Studies in Taipei. He says the public's anger is focused on
the Health Department, not on President Ma Ying-jeou, who is working to further
open Taiwan's market to China. "This has very much to do with the ability or
capability to deal with contingency and crisis. It has less to do with the
leadership," Yang noted.On Tuesday, health officials met to discuss melamine
testing procedures, as well as acceptable levels of the substance in food. The
health department promises to help Taiwanese food companies seek compensation
from the China for any tainted goods.More than 20 Chinese dairy companies were
found to have adulterated milk products with melamine, a substance normally
used in making plastics. Melamine artificially boosts protein levels, but it
can cause severe health problems, including kidney damage. More than 50,000
children in China have been made ill by tainted milk and at least four have
died.Many countries have barred imports of Chinese dairy products after finding
melamine in candies and dairy products.
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Poverty, Isolation, Uncertainty Mar Ramadan Celebrations for Palestinians
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VOA's Luis Ramirez finds for some families, annual religious holiday has
highlighted realities of poverty, uncertainty over peace with Israel
Muslims in the Palestinian territories, like in other places, are marking the
end of Ramadan, a season of fasting. It is also a time to ask forgiveness,
practice self-restraint, and pray for the future. But for many Palestinians
this Ramadan has highlighted the realities of poverty and uncertainty over
peace with Israel. VOA's Luis Ramirez reports from Ramallah, in the West Bank.
Backdropped by the Dome of the Rock, hundreds of Palestinians perform the
morning prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, 30 Sep 2008In the
last days of Ramadan, the streets of Ramallah are crowded with vendors selling
special sweets for the sumptuous meal that crowns a day of fasting. Typically,
Muslim families gather for the feast at sundown, when the call to prayer from
the minaret signals the end of the fast. For Neela Mahmoud, 32, and rearing
nine children in the town of Bir Zeit, outside Ramallah, the breaking of the
fast is - in some ways - a time to dread. On this evening, she has only bread
and water to break the fast. "This is the most difficult Ramadan that we have
ever known," she says. "My husband cannot work. There are no organizations
that will help us. It has been hard to put food on the table."On this evening,
friends bring rice, lentils and yogurt - a typical Palestinian peasant's meal.
For Neela Mahmoud's children, it is a feast. Neela's husband, Khalaf, was
recently in an Israeli prison. He says he faced a number of charges of
plotting military action against the Israeli occupation forces. He is out on
a suspended sentence. With Israeli checkpoints everywhere, he says his life
continues to be a prison. "I cannot go anywhere outside of the Palestinian
territories because I have a suspended sentence," he explains. "If I am caught
outside the Palestinian areas, I will be put back in jail."The security
barrier, a system of concrete walls and fences that Israel is putting up to
protect itself from suicide bombers and other attackers from the West Bank, has
cut off Palestinians' access to relatively well-paying jobs in Israel. Since
the barrier went up, the number of terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians has
diminished considerably. For Israelis, the barrier has brought improved
security. For Palestinian families like that of Khalaf and Neela, it has
brought hunger and misery. "I used to work inside Israel before the wall,"
Khalaf explains. "Now, they will not give me a permit and I cannot find work
here. I used to work as a gardener. I used to do all kinds of jobs inside
Israel. But now, I am unable to get a permit and especially because I was in
jail. People feed us. We have no food, if people do not feed us, we do not
eat. Sometimes, I have a days' work and I come with some money. But that is
not often."Khalaf says despair over not being able to feed his nine children
has made him want to give them away. In the West Bank's main city, Ramallah, a
street vendor hawks Ramadan lanterns. Their sparkle and chimes do little to
lift spirits. He says the absence of jobs means no business for him. "I have
much merchandise, but very few customers," he admits.The wish expressed by many
here is for peace with Israel. But even during Ramadan, it is hard for many to
put aside the grim reality. A 14-year-old boy says his house still has bullet
holes from an Israeli incursion years ago. "During Ramadan, we forgive people
and people forgive us," he explains.Would he be willing to forgive Israel?"It
depends. If the Israelis are harsh with me, I will be harsh on them. I cannot
forgive them," he says.For many, like Neela Mahmoud, the main concern now is
the everyday struggle to feed her family. "My biggest wish this Ramadan is for
my husband to find work," she says. "My biggest wish is for people to think of
each other during Ramadan. The meaning of Ramadan is to help the poor. The
meaning of Ramadan is to help each other. Unfortunately, everyone is having a
hard time."Neela says she prays for peace and an end to the fear and
checkpoints that prevent her husband from going to work. She doubts reports
that Israelis and Palestinians may be close to reaching a peace agreement. If
there is a peace accord, she says she hopes it is one that will result in
better living conditions for her family.
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NASA Remembers First 50 Years of Manned Space Flight
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US space agency celebrates five decades of milestones, but questions remain
regarding future
On October 1, 1958, the U.S. space agency NASA first opened its doors. Fifty
years later it still has its sights on space exploration, new worlds and
distant frontiers. In part one of a series, VOA's Paul Sisco takes a look back
at NASA's manned space flight program. President John F. Kennedy announced
America's intentions to go to the moon in 1961America's space race with the
Soviet Union was dramatically defined in 1961 when the nation's young
president, John Kennedy, announced plans to go the moon.But more than any other
single event, it was the launch of Sputnik, the first satellite by the Soviet
Union in 1957 that ushered in the space era.Soon afterwards, NASA launched
America's first successful satellite into space, Explorer One. And moving
decisively, President Dwight Eisenhower establishes NASA, the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration on October 1, 1958.Six months later
Project Mercury is announced. Seven men will carry the nation into space:
Slayton, Schirra, Cooper, Carpenter, Glenn, Grissom, and Shepard. America's
first astronauts were introduced to the nation on April 9, 1959. In an
interview before his death, Alan Shepard remembered the day. "Of course that
was one of the happiest days of my life," Shepard said. "That was the day in
which we all congregated officially as the U.S. first astronaut group."On May
5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American in space; a mere 15 minute
adventure in a windowless capsule, called Freedom Seven.Project Mercury met its
primary objective on February 20, 1962. On a flight lasting four hours and 55
minutes, astronaut John Glenn orbited the earth three times.Project Mercury was
followed by the Gemini program, complete with two man crews, spacewalks, and
orbital rendezvous. Gemini laid the groundwork for the more ambitious Apollo
program that followed with three man crews, much more powerful rockets and
lunar modules. The Apollo years were marked by success and early tragedy. In
1967 three NASA astronauts were killed in a fire while testing Apollo one. From
this tragedy, NASA dedicated itself to space exploration with new vigor. And on
July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong realized President Kennedy's' vision
and the primary goal of the program.
There were six more Apollo missions to the moon, ending with Apollo 17 in
1972There were six more Apollo missions to the moon, ending with Apollo 17 in
1972. The moon landings gave rise to an era of cooperation in space. In July
1975, a Russian Soyuz and American Apollo craft linked in orbit.It was the end
of the Apollo era, but a new chapter in manned space flight was unfolding. The
reusable spacecraft Columbia made the first shuttle flight in 1981. The shuttle
fleet has carried many satellites into space as well as the Hubble Space
Telescope. Hubble's many discoveries have captured world attention. A final
servicing mission is scheduled for later this month. The shuttle program
suffered two major setbacks. In January 1986, Challenger exploded 73 seconds
after launch, killing all seven astronauts. And in February 2003, Columbia
disintegrated on re-entry killing its crew of seven.
After 50 years, NASA is still designing, building, and testing the next
generation of spacecraftAfter substantial delays, NASA's shuttle program
continues. It has been essential to the largest, most ambitious scientific
endeavor by mankind to date, construction of the International Space Station.
NASA has plans to retire the aging shuttle fleet in 2010, America's space
agency, established fifty years ago is hard at work, designing, building, and
testing the next generation of spacecraft that will take humankind back to the
moon and beyond.In the next report on NASA's 50th anniversary, we will look at
the achievements of NASA's unmanned probes during the space agency's first half
century.
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