Why does not NASA allow common people (like you and me)  to take rides on the Shuttle?
613382
The cost to go into space is in the millions because that's what it costs to send someone into space.  It's not a big conspiracy or anything, it just costs a lot of money to build a space shuttle, fuel it, get it into space, and keep people alive for a couple days.  Government and private grants cover research missions, but the government isn't going to shell out a couple million dollars for a tourism trip.\n\nThe physical requirements are not unreasonable either.  The lack of gravity puts a huge strain on the human body.  When astronaughts come back, they have decreased muscle tone and heart strenght.  While in space, they have to work out regularly, but still, on Earth your muscles are constantly working against gravity, and when you come back, your muscles aren't ready for it.  If you aren't in exceptional physcial health, the loss of muscle tone could be extremely dangerous, and potentially even fatal.\n\nThe psycological qualifications are also not without reason.  Being in the confined space of a space shuttle with a small number of people for several days puts a huge strain on the human psyche.\n\nThat said, if I had the chance to go into space, I'd do it in a second, no doubt about it.
775376
the weight of the water may be too much for a shuttle to take up enough to make a difference
751485
Because we have few safe places to ride them, and you should see how some people drive. I'd love to ride a bike to get around but I don't want to get flattened.
157489
1. It's too expensive to set them up in outer space.\n\n2. I'm not sure I want a bunch of bad people at the top of a gravity well. All they have to do is learn how to aim some big rocks at Earth and we'd be in big trouble.
606332
At first, I thought, 'sure' but then I realized that we know enough about Mars and after the excitement of lift off and weightlessness, I would be bored to death traveling for months, walking around in a Mars-suit all day while there, traveling for months to get back with a few oxidized rocks... \n\nSo, just save me a ticket to the ISS and I will be happy to go and spend a few weeks touring around this ol' blue planet.
503768
If there is life on other planets it will find us before we find them.We are in the stone age when it comes to transportation on the planet. Only 2% of the gas you put in your car is used to propel you.When it comes to space travel we are even more barbaric.
1036865
Still human being cannot determine simpler and safer way to get to the local orbit, let alone Mars together with long haul voyages, nowadays human's intellect is only good to sell the Moon's 'lands' for the future-based villas and finding idiotic 'smiles' on the Martian surface, unfortunately.   \ncheers
654352
Our technology has improved quite a bit since the Apollo program. In particular, computers are able to do the routine chores that required humans back in the late 60's and early 70's. The person up in orbit was there to direct the orbiter to rendevous. This is no longer required.
1059573
Sure if you mean a robotic space craft. We could even send a human, if we don't care that he would die shortly. As far as sending a craft with a living human, we don't have that technology within a reasonable price range.
405937
I think they can if they are mature enough to handle it.  I personally wouldn't. I see you enough at home...I have to see you here too? People DO need space weather they think they do or not.
264883
You don't go across, you go around.\n\nAnd, it depends on the type of plane.  The space shuttle can do it a couple times in a day.
1078902
Virgin Galactic is starting to take reservations and deposit commitments for the first year of operations. The ticket price has been set at US$200,000 and the minimum, fully refundable deposit to secure your spaceship seat is US$20,000.\n\nAnyone can go if they have enough money. Russia made American businessman Dennis Tito the world's first space tourist. Tito flew into space aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket that arrived at the International Space Station on April 30, 2001. The second space tourist, South African businessman Mark Shuttleworth, took off aboard the Russian Soyuz on April 25, 2002, also bound for the ISS. Lance Bass of 'N Sync was supposed to be the third to make the $20 million trip, but he did not join the three-man crew as they blasted off on October 30, 2002, due to lack of payment.  \n\nCurrently, the only vehicles that can take you into space are the space shuttle and the Russian Soyuz, both of which are terribly inefficient. Each spacecraft requires millions of pounds of propellant to take off into space, which makes them expensive to launch. One pound of payload costs about $10,000 to put into Earth orbit.
670964
no, i haven't been to space or around the world. then again, not many people have.\n\nit would be ok and all but just thinking about being out there not knowing "exactly" where you're headed. i'll pass. what if you run out of gas and your ship is stuck out there? what if you lose contact with humans on earth, how will you let them know that you need help??? but then again on the other hand, you are in space seeing everything with your own eyes. nah, i'll stick to seeing space through internet and through my dreams..i'm a lot safer in my bed dreaming...
356637
NASA hires a lot of people all over the country. However, most of us work for contractors that work for NASA. There are more contractor jobs and they generally pay better. My wife is a secretary at the Johnson Space Center, but I have always worked for contractors like IBM and Boeing.\n\nRead the links below for more.
850788
Is it scary, or ironic?  One third of the US space program is run by aliens!\n\nThe Space Shuttle was built be the lowest bidder!
628659
Less than 34 and more than 3.  Here is a link to a copy of NASAs current shuttle flight Manifest.  It is somewhat hard to tell which flights are bringing modules and other pieces of permanent hardware to the the ISS, but it looks like at least 10 flights are. \n\nhttp://www.thespaceplace.com/shuttle/future.html
166704
Numerous ideas, personally, best option is for NASA to become a partner rather than a brake on private airflight. \n\nNuclear energy may be the best way to provide propulsion:\n\n"I will say, categorically, we cannot effectively explore space without nuclear power and, in the longer run, nuclear propulsion."\n\n-NASA Administrator Mike Griffin