VIERA, Fla. -- Senator Bill Nelson and other local leaders got together Monday morning discuss the future of the Kennedy Space Center. They are looking for ways to lessen the impact of future job losses at KSC when the shuttle program ends.

They are not just concerned about jobs, but also the safety of the astronauts. Some are worried about having to rely solely on the Russian Soyuz.

Senator Nelson and Congressman Dave Weldon met with Brevard County commissioners in a packed meeting Monday morning in Viera. They relayed their concerns about the impending shut down of the space shuttle program.

Congressman Weldon raised concerns regarding relying solely on the Russian Soyuz capsule. Once the shuttle is retired, if the Soyuz is the only means of getting to and from space, if there's a problem with the Soyuz program, it could create a crisis in space.

"We could have six astronauts up on the space station and literally no way to get them down and all the people of the world will be in the sad prospect of watching them die as they run out of food and supplies," said Rep. Dave Weldon (R - Indialantic).

The concerns are becoming more apparent following last weeks landing of a Soyuz capsule more than 250 miles off target. It was the second mishap in a row during a landing and exerted enormous strain on the astronauts and cosmonauts inside.

Senator Nelson said one problem is President Bush has put in motion the plan to shut down the shuttle program during the next president's term. By the time the next president takes office, it will be too late to try to keep the shuttle program going.