News 2020 Budget

[richfororbit]

Hi,

I just wanted to post up the link, nice to see some work getting done at the agency with their contractors.:thumbup:

https://www.nasa.gov/news/budget/index.html

Any thoughts on this?

 

[richfororbit]

I saw this clip on the budget proposal.

I think the rocket will probably be built and fly a number of times, at the end of the day the commercial program is still ongoing.

 

[Kyle]

I don't think we're going to see EM-1 to be honest: Every six months there seems to be a year delay. Right now it's scheduled for June 2020 but that date is "under assessment". I guarantee it'll slip to 2021 this year. It's clear that NASA is starting to go in a direct more dependent on commercial launch provides for their launch services, e.g. SpaceX and Blue Origin.

 

[richfororbit]

You don't think the rocket will be a part of building the moon orbital station?

 

[PhantomCruiser]

With Bigelow and Sierra Nevada both with inflatables (one in a proven state the other in mock-up) I think the station building might be contracted out. as will the launch services for construction and probably crew rotation.

I'd like to see it fly too, but lets be serious and honest. At only two flights per year (and that's a big stretch to think they could meet that) the SLS is too expensive to maintain.

As great a work platform as Shuttle was; if thought of in a critical manner, it really set us back. Down-mass capability was interesting, but how many times what it truely utilized? The crossrange was another plus, but man-rated capsules are eventually going to be reusable, and they are far cheaper to maintaing the TPS, as the tiles/ablative shielding is more easily replaced.

The SLS, eggs in one basket, really comes down to being a government work project. There was a tremendous brain-drain from NASA (and partners) as the Shuttle wound down. Constellation/SLS managed to keep some, but the planning was terrible. Side note -I need to dust off my 'Direct' projects for Orbiter and see if they would have been feasible as a supplement to Shuttle...

That all said, I don't think NASA is coming to an end. It's a smart organization when utilized. The problem solving skills of that bunch is first rate. And I think they will continue to work on the science involved with human/robotinc spaceflight, and exploration of the solar system.

A private corporation does not have the same motivations, meaning, they're in it for the money. Elon does have a philanthropic mission, but he needs money to get there. SNC, and Bigelow won't do it for free, and ULA builds rockets, they aren't interested in a floating hotel or a Mars (or Moon) colony, Bezo's is still kind of a wild card (to me). But NASA can work with them in partnership to accomplish the science, study, and expertise need as they have a government that provides the bucks.

It doesn't matter how much money and individual can front. Pooled together they all pale in comparison to what NASA can bring if they are properly funded.

This is all just my two cents though. I figure on the government to do the stupidest thing possible.

 

[richfororbit]

While American politics, the libertarian crowd may want to see private companies build a moon orbiting station. I think the program that the space program has going, is probably the way to go. I guess you are correct about may be it isn't sustainable, but will space flight ever be sustainable.

How would china pay for the space program in the long run, it couldn't. The only way is a world wide space program. Far too ideal. That would require a lot of corruption to end in all nations.

I think these small mad steps take by the US government on space flight are probably better than nothing, even if a waste, I think space flight was going to be this way, human nature sucks about this subject.