It was originally scheduled for 9 AM EST, but it’s been delayed. The clock at the webcast is currently at 54 minutes and counting.
[Update shortly after the test]
Well, the webcast was a little glitchy, but it looked like a successful firing and shutdown to me. Now on the launch on Tuesday. Which, coincidentally, in addition to being the 69th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, is the 38th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 17, the last mission to the moon.
Scientific American weighs in. I wish they wouldn’t call it the “Obama plan.”
I have some thoughts on today’s NASA announcement over at The Corner.
[Update a few minutes later]
Alan Boyle has a lot more on the story.
A new course has been added to the LaunchSpace catalog. Doesn’t look like it’s worth attending, though — the course instructor probably doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
My thoughts on the Utah delegation’s selective fiscal conservatism, when it comes to NASA, over at PJM.
[Update a few minutes later]
Bobby Block and Mark Matthews have a story on the latest twist in space policy, about Lockmart’s proposal to test fly Orion on a Delta IV. The Utah porkers are still at it:
“I hate to see different entities try to cannibalize the process,” said U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R- Utah, a staunch supporter of his state’s solid-rocket industry. “There is money to move forward on [a heavy-lift rocket using solid-rocket motors], as well as the capsule, as long as NASA budgets its money wisely and doesn’t waste it on wild goose chases.”
…In meetings last week, Bishop told NASA chief Charlie Bolden he was concerned that NASA was dragging its feet transitioning from Constellation to the new heavy-lift program that ensured a role for Utah’s solid-rocket motor industry. Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch said he called the meeting “to explain in no uncertain terms the Utah congressional delegation’s interest in ensuring that Utah’s solid-rocket motor industry is protected.”
You know what’s a “wild goose chase”? Expecting to get an affordable or sustainable program with an expensive, monopolistic NASA-developed vehicle from legacy hardware. You have to give Orrin Hatch points for honesty, though.
…is out. Clark Lindsey has the T of C. If you’re interested in what’s going on with commercial human spaceflight, and you don’t subscribe, you should.
Thoughts from Robin Hanson. Ignoring space settlement, one of the reasons I want us to become spacefaring is to make it more affordable to answer questions like this. With low-cost access both to orbit and beyond, we could do some pretty spectacular exploration of, say, Europa.
Here’s yet another fact-free and logic-free “conservative” critique of the new space policy, this time over at Human Events. It’s got it all.
Claims that NASA funding is going to be diverted from space exploration to climate change? Check.
Claims that NASA funding is going to be diverted from space exploration to Muslim self esteem? Check.
Assertion that we cannot get back to the moon without a heavy-lift vehicle? Check.
Nonsensical allusions to the Columbus/Isabella metaphor? Check.
Nonsensical claims about spin-off, including Tang? You got it.
I suppose I should see if I can rebut over there.
…has started a blog.
A typical conversation in the space blogosphere.
[Update late evening]
OK, I ended up just redoing it. Try it now.
[Late evening update]
I’ve uploaded a Youtube version.