What next after the Space Shuttles?

I just watched the launch of Atlantis on youtube, here  is the video I used, and it was so fucking beautiful. But I'm wondering something that the NASA site doesn't really explain, or at least I can't find it.
 
If Atlantis is supposed to be the final Space Shuttle mission, how does NASA expect us to get into space? Are they developing some sort of alternate ship or something for the astronauts to go to the space station or wherever else? Or was today just the final mission for the current set of shuttles they have? 

I think they expect private industry to take up the slack. Until then I think our astronauts (if we send any) are going to ride up on other nation's space ships.

time we worked on the space elevator?

Im pretty sure they're going back to rockets for the planned 2020 return to the moon.

I think they expect private industry to take up the slack. Until then I think our astronauts (if we send any) are going to ride up on other nation's space ships.

Boeing is working on Space Capsules with NASA right now. These capsules won't have the cargo space of a space shuttle, but they'll still be able to take 5+ people up. Should take 5 years until they're ready for flight. So until then it will be up to the private businesses.

Here's the link. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/orion/index.html

portals or underwater bubble cites...or jetpacks

A ladder to Heaven.

I believe they were talking about using chemical rockets. They are cheaper and easier to maintain. That is until they come up with something better.

It would be nice if we would take some of that money and time and devote it to exploring the rest of the ocean on our own planet. I personally expect the kraken in Seaworld by 2024 or I'm going to write an angry letter to my congressman.

An escalator to nowhere.

@sreya92 said:

@tfsteefs: Alas yet another who is woefully ignorant in respects to the benefits of the space program in addition to spewing overgeneralized, racist drivel. Good day to you sir

you honestly think there's a benefit to manned space flight in 2011? lmao

Nasa is pretty much being shut down, their funding has been cut so much that they aren't going to develop new shuttles, at most they will use the rockets that they used in 60's that only have a single use. There goes any hope of one day reaching mars...

hopefully nothing, manned space flight is a waste of money and the dreams of privileged white people who want to get away from the awful mess they've created on earth

Nasa is pretty much being shut down, their funding has been cut so much that they aren't going to develop new shuttles, at most they will use the rockets that they used in 60's that only have a single use. There goes any hope of one day reaching mars...

uh, the mission to mars is extremely important. if you had played the seminal piece of interactive art known as Mass Effect you would know that, luddite scum.

The Government found it far more efficient to hire John Carmack to oversee the U.S Space program.

I wish.

Please. You're being melodramatic. There are very few people in the United States who die of starvation. Even the homeless can get a meal at homeless shelters. And though I whole-heartedly agree that things should be done to help the poor, there's no excuse to bankrupt your country trying to help some people who manipulate the system to get free money in return for doing nothing. Welfare, though helping some who truly need it (such as the disabled and elderly it was designed for) is a money drain. 

@tfsteefs said:

you will likely be dead before the average person can even enter low orbit. remember this forever.

Believe it or not, some people will reproduce, and I'm sure our children will appreciate the advances we've made.

your kind of thinking would stagnate civilization. There are always going to be poor people. There will always be rich people. Life's not fucking fair. However, if you want to improve life for the general population, investing in science is going to be the way to do it. Once again, you have to think long-term.

@tfsteefs said:

@TooWalrus said:

@tfsteefs said:

you will likely be dead before the average person can even enter low orbit. remember this forever.

Believe it or not, some people will reproduce, and I'm sure our children will appreciate the advances we've made.

lol if you think there will be a society organised enough to even begin to think about sending small objects into space by that part of this century

Ha, at first I thought you had some sort of logic or thought behind your comments, but now I'm sure you must be trolling. Humanity's going to be just fine- stop worrying.

I really pisses me off that NASA is being shut down. I mean how are we ever going to futher ourselvs if we can't learn whats around us in space? I know NASA must need a big budget but the money goes to a good cause.

NASA is dying. It is slowly being phased down. The current levels of expenditure and investment in it won't continue. It will be lucky if it's still functioning in a generations time. 

@sreya92: You only say that because you're one of our rich white overlords.

Damn, tfsteefs just keeps giving me more and more to hate her for.  
I honestly can't believe that you would think humanity staying in one place, one speck of dust floating around, would be a good idea when we live in a universe where whole solar systems  and star clusters like to blow up and take lots of shit with them. Staying put as we are is just suicide for the species, if we can spread out and populate different parts of the galaxy we can make sure humanity doesn't just get fucked at one point with no backup plan. 
 
Also calling everyone a privileged white person is really fucking stupid. Doyouhonestlythinkonlywhite peoplehavemoney?

Damn, tfsteefs just keeps giving me more and more to hate her for.  
I honestly can't believe that you would think humanity staying in one place, one speck of dust floating around, would be a good idea when we live in a universe where whole solar systems  and star clusters like to blow up and take lots of shit with them. Staying put as we are is just suicide for the species, if we can spread out and populate different parts of the galaxy we can make sure humanity doesn't just get fucked at one point with no backup plan. 
 
Also calling everyone a privileged white person is really fucking stupid. Doyouhonestlythinkonlywhite peoplehavemoney?

Also calling everyone a privileged white person is really fucking stupid. Doyouhonestlythinkonlywhite peoplehavemoney?