One of the most bizarre aspects of contemporary space policy is the degree to which the policy establishment has completely thrown in the towel on reducing the cost of access to orbit, as exemplified by the Senate Launch System. Stewart Money lays out the technical issues on the off chance that the community will come to its senses and decide that this is an important goal.
An RL-10 Killer
I’ve known, or at least guessed, that this was in the works for several months (almost a year, really). It was the only thing that made any sense in terms of why ULA would have wanted XCOR to build a hydrogen piston pump. It’s not good news for Pratt & Whitney — they’re going to lose what has been essentially a monopoly for decades. I would assume that the engine production will not occur in California. They’ll be looking for some place with a sane business environment. Again, I have no specific knowledge, but Florida would make a lot of sense.
[Update a few minutes later]
The latest Lurio Report is out. Clark has the T of C. If you don’t subscribe, you should.
[Update a couple minutes later]
Clark also has additional links on the XCOR story.
[Update a few minutes later]
Busy space news day. The latest Space Studies Institute update is out.
[Update in the afternoon]
It turns out that “Joe” in comments had a good guess as to development time:
Sowers said Monday that the pace of the development will depend on the level of investment as milestones are met in the build-a-little, test-a-little approach favored by XCOR. Under the low-cost development approach, it would be 5-10 years before flight engines are available, depending on how the work goes.
Of course, as I said, my estimate of much less time was based on having “adequate funding.” Sounds like they’re doing go as you pay.
But It’s Not Enough For The Theftists
The US taxes the rich more than any other OECD country.
The Nuclear Popgun
Message to Republicans: Don’t be afraid to shut down the government.
Thoughts On Islamism
The first commenter is correct. It is impossible to have an intelligent discussion about this due to political correctness and multi-culturalism.
What Next After Libya
Victor Davis Hanson asks for a little foresight and planning from this administration of which, I suspect, they are utterly incapable, and in which they are not even disposed to engage.
Markets Don’t Ration
…people do. The difference is who makes the decisions.
Radiation Dosages
…explained. A serious offering from XKCD.
But Other Than That…
“Barack Obama has been a failure in almost everything he’s done.”
Some of us are less shocked than others.
Also, appropriate smugness, at least when it comes to dealing with the real rubes. The question is, have they really learned, or will they fall for the con again next year?
[Update a few minutes later]
From community organizer to out-of-control cowboy: “I now call on Candidate Obama to protest President Obama.”
The danger of a president like this (and Hillary) was always that they’d feel compelled to demonstrate their national defense bona fides with some kind of ill-thought-out overseas action. But the up side is that it may at least get the Iranians to pay attention.
Faster, Please
A new way to prevent or minimize thrombosis?