Thank goodness the time has finally come for the American space program to either pass or play. We are fortunate as a species that any nation can pick up the technical ball from where it lies on the field, no matter any squandered lead from those who left it there. The Augustine Commission has been tasked to encourage international cooperation, and that they can do with proper recommendation (aka, just do your job and do it right).

Anyone concerned about the future of the United States manned space program is already aware of multiple serious concerns regarding the Ares launch vehicle in support of the otherwise acceptable Constellation program. The first wave of defenders has fallen beneath the weight of a swelling design and shrinking budget.

That's why we can't as a nation afford to repeat a costly mistake. The end of Apollo saw a large divestment of resources, talent and skill before the start of Space Shuttle began operations. That "gap" resulted in a disastrous loss of talent from the pool responsible for building the hardware and software that sustained our manned spaceflight effort.

We will not get a second chance. (Our first is even on shaky legs!) At the core what is needed is to abandon the approach of building two separate, incongruent vehicles where the development of a single more logical launcher would suffice. That the single more logical launcher also costs less overall and can outperform the dual system adds momentum to the decision. That approach is superior in almost every way, including retaining the launch components (pads, crawlers, etc.) as well as the human element.

The gap in flight between the Space Shuttle and Constellation must be reduced if not eliminated. NASA has no current plan to do so even if (it is argued) they were tasked with precisely that task by the folks that pay the bills. Every goal of future manned spaceflight, like resupply and crew transfer to the International Space Station, resuming lunar exploration, even exploring Near Earth Asteroids (NEO) and eventually manned trips to Mars are available if only we seize the opportunity.

We must direct our policy makers to adopt an open-ended approach with plenty of growth potential. Sadly the Ares project must evolve or perish. It's that program, or us. If the workforce is disbanded God only knows where they'll end up, and though it would be irreparable to the US at least someone will be able to take advantage of them. One of us has to make it.