Category Archives: Space
NASA And The GAO
The latest major project assessment is out:
Three of the largest projects in this critical stage of development—Exploration Ground Systems, Orion, and the Space Launch System—continue to face cost, schedule, and technical risks. In April 2017, we found that the first integrated test flight of these systems, known as Exploration Mission-1, will likely be delayed beyond November 2018.
NASA concurred with our findings and is currently conducting an assessment to establish a new launch date. Because NASA’s assessment is ongoing, the cost implications of the schedule delay and its effect on the projects’ baselines are still unknown. However, given that these three human space exploration programs represent more than half of NASA’s current portfolio development cost baseline, a cost increase or delay could have substantial repercussions not only for these programs but NASA’s entire portfolio.
You don’t say.
[Update mid afternoon]
Bob Zubrin isn’t happy with NASA’s current Mars plans:
During the Apollo program, the NASA’s mission-driven human spaceflight program spent money in order to do great things. Now, lacking a mission, it just does things in order to spend a great deal of money.
Why is NASA proposing a lunar-orbiting space station? The answer to that is simple. It’s to give its Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion capsule programs something to do. The utility of such activity is not a concern. As a result, nothing useful will be accomplished.
Because Congress isn’t serious.
[Update a few minutes later]
Bob Zimmerman has some caustic thoughts on the GAO report.
[Thursday-morning update]
Bob Zimmerman isn’t happy about the cost overruns on the engine test stands. Neither am I. These aren’t the costs, they’re the overruns. On test stands for engines for a rocket we don’t need, and can’t afford to operate.
Also Ethan Siegal agrees with Bob Zubrin that a cislunar station is a waste of time and money.
[Bumped]
[Update mid-afternoon]
NASA doesn’t have any good answers as to why the test stands were being built in Alabama. We know the answer. It’s not a good one.
I think we know the answer to that. And Shelby doesn't care about the overruns as long as he gets his campaign contributions. https://t.co/h4vIKCoN2q
— Rand Simberg (@Rand_Simberg) May 18, 2017
Space Policy
Keith Cowing thinks that Bridenstine is the likely next NASA administrator, and the Scott Pace will run the recreated National Space Council.
Buzz Aldrin
He won’t stop talking. He used to call me and bend my ear quite a bit. But he means well.
SLS Follies
The latest.
Spending $23,000,000,000 to get to flight 1. https://t.co/MSgbBxjukp
— Ben Brockert (@wikkit) May 15, 2017
Here’s a nice timeline of the mess going back to the original idiotic NASA authorization in 2010.
What a Charlie Foxtrot.
Humans To Mars
In the wake of last week’s conference, the 2017 report is out.
EM-1
It this is true, it’s outrageously hypocritical. A dangerous pointless stunt.
Per the crewed EM-1. The decision's been made. No one's talking, but it's kinda the worst kept secret they will green light it. #SLSHailMary
— Chris B – NSF (@NASASpaceflight) May 8, 2017
[Update a few minutes later]
More thoughts from Doug Messier.
[Update a while later]
Bob Zimmerman is less than impressed.
[Tuesday-morning update]
NASA is probably using crewed EM-1 to cover for a(nother) delay, due to bad hydrogen-tank welds: https://t.co/wyYqQoFLBV
— Rand Simberg (@Rand_Simberg) May 9, 2017
[Bumped]
Friday-morning update]
Telecon now set for 3pm ET. https://t.co/HA11QImtrC
— Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) May 12, 2017
If anything other than "We have decided the risk to crew is not justified by the value of the mission," steam will be coming out of my ears. https://t.co/xNwNxVvuMn
— SafeNotAnOption (@SafeNotAnOption) May 12, 2017
[Bumped again]
[Update just before noon Pacific]
Listen to the press conference live here.
[Update after presser has started]
Emilee Speck is quick to the draw.
[Update a few minutes later]
Chris BerginGebhart has a more detailed story (much of which was probably pre-written).
[Update a while later]
Here‘s Jeff Foust’s take.
[Update mid afternoon]
Eric Berger: Blame the Senate for the schedule delays.
China And Asteroids
This sounds sort of hinky to me (as is usually the case with Chinese space announcements). They’re going to bring an asteroid into cislunar space within a decade, but don’t think they’ll have the technology to process it until four decades from now? And how does getting artificial gravity from a spinning asteroid work, exactly? Also, pretty sure there will be some intense discussions about what kind of liability China will assume under the Liability Convention if they attempt this.
The Latest From The Apollo Cargo Cult
[Friday-morning update]
Bad news for SLS is good new for those of us who want an actual, vibrant space industry.
Masten
They had an oopsie with Xaero-B. Hope it’s not too much of a setback.
[Update a while later]
@rocketrepreneur @spacecom It isn't a sad day. We gained valuable insight and data doing something very unique. Wasn't the first try and is exactly why we test.
— Masten Space Systems (@mastenspace) May 11, 2017
[Update a few more minutes later]
@rocketrepreneur @spacecom We have what will be our largest lander design to date currently under construction at MSFC. We are encouraged about what we are doing next.
— Masten Space Systems (@mastenspace) May 11, 2017