UNITED NATIONS -- Key members of the American astronaut program, the U.S. Congress, and scientific community have warned that planned cuts and changes by the Obama Administration to the American space program “destines our nation to become one of second or even third rate stature.”

In a scathing letter signed by 27 NASA veterans including Neil Armstrong, commander of Apollo 11, James Lovell, commander of Apollo 13, Eugene Cernan , commander of Apollo 17, and Gene Kranz, legendary flight director, implored U.S. President Barack Obama to reconsider his “misguided proposal,” concerning the future of manned space flight.