With space shuttle Discovery poised for its last flight, politics continues to complicate the future of U.S. space missions.

The current flight will bring gear and supplies to the International Space Station, including a robot that will become a permanent resident of the station. The next and final scheduled shuttle flight is due to lift off for the International Space Station on Feb. 27, 2011. Advocates pressed for one additional mission and NASA’s compromise budget now includes funding one more.

But the Orlando Sentinel speculated last week that Republican gains in Congress could embolden budget hawks to cut the agency’s budget after the election. NASA officials are apparently worried that the $500 million allocated for an additional launch may be in jeopardy during Congress’ lame duck session.

The additional shuttle flight strikes us as little more than political compromise for the benefit of corporate profits and workers’ paychecks. NASA must begin to make a transition to a new era, and the sooner it gets started, the better. A better choice would be to devote the money earmarked for a final shuttle mission to research and development of the new rockets that will eventually take astronauts beyond earth’s orbit.

Unfortunately, Congress could decide to cut NASA’s budget, while still remaining wedded to the goal of pleasing important contractors and influential members. We could end up with one more shuttle flight, but not enough money to keep up with U.S. ambitions for space exploration.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.