While I think that we could do a lunar return for far less than NASA estimates, if allowed to do so without having to use SLS/Orion, or the Gateway, I certainly agree with the second point that Wayne Hale (new head of the NASA Advisory Council) makes, as he takes more than one page from my book.
Category Archives: Space
Artemis Costs
That would be four to six billion per year.
It could be done for five billion or so total, if they don’t have to use SLS/Orion or the Gateway. Main expense is building a lander.
[Afternoon update]
Thoughts from Keith Cowing.
The Gaia Hypothesis
Is it time to take it seriously?
One way to look at space development and settlement is as Gaia reproducing, spreading life into and throughout the solar system, and eventually the galaxy.
India
Is talking about its own space station.
It doesn’t say what the inclination would be, though. If I were them, I’d put it in the same orbit as ISS.
Humans And Robots In Space
The Gateway
The latest, after last week’s space-policy turmoil.
I think that Bridenstine (and Scott Pace) feel compelled to publicly support it, in the hope of maintaining Congressional support for NASA budgets in general, but I’m not sure it’s a great strategy.
[Update a while later]
Welcome to the new moon race.
Politico seems to be doing a fiftieth anniversary issue.
Back To CA
I’ve been on the road, to Michigan and DC, for the entire month so far, so I’m on the plane, looking forward to getting home in a few hours.
Trump’s New Space Plan
Bob Zimmerman writes that it won’t happen without cutting the pork.
In other words, it won’t happen.
(Friday-afternoon update)
Tweet from @realDonaldTrump: “For all of the money we are spending, NASA should NOT be talking about going to the Moon – We did that 50 years ago. They should be focused on the much bigger things we are doing, including Mars (of which the Moon is a part), Defense and Science!”
No comment, but there’s a lot of response on Twitter.
Space Policy
There is a new report out from the Reason Foundation, by Jeff Greason and James Bennett, on how it needs to be rethought and reorganized. I haven’t read it yet, but I expect it to be good (I saw Jeff today at the Space Settlement Forum, where I gave a talk on space property rights).
Moon Books
There are a bunch of new ones out as part of the fiftieth anniversary. Here’s a list (including some old classics as well).