Always on top of the latest space scandals, Slashdot delightfully reports on NASA administrator Mike Griffin's remarks in a recent interview that the space shuttle program of the last three decades (and last $150 billion tax dollars) was "extremely aggressive and just barely possible."  Griffin has also called the shuttle "deeply flawed".  He may view the new shuttle design as a way of getting back on track.  There he may have competition:  The European Space Agency has just announced a deal with Russia to develop a space shuttle nicknamed the Clipper, most likely named after the clipper ships of many decades back that could transport trade goods around Cape Horn--from Atlantic to Pacific--at then-remarkable speeds.  The Clipper will be designed to hold six people and will be capable of reaching lunar orbit, though apparently not of a lunar landing.

How does Mr. Griffin feel about the International Space Station, another expensive item on the NASA budget?  Says Griffin:

Had the decision been mine, we would not have built the space station we're building in the orbit we're building it in.

Maybe we should take the "International" out of space, when it comes to expensive programs that we end up footing.  What do they do up in that thing anyway?

If you agree that NASA needs better program and budget planning, maybe you should join the first debate over at SpaceNow, a just-launched website dedicated to exploring the controversies surrounding human spaceflight.  The question:  "Will NASA's new plan truly open space to humankind?"

That word "truly" looks awful wishy-washy.