Author Topic: Blue Origin’s new engine isn’t good enough for some congressmen  (Read 7734 times)

Offline Dante80

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Instead of the BE-4, Alabama representative wants an engine built in his state.

Quote
In 2014, the rocket company United Launch Alliance (ULA) entered into an agreement with Blue Origin to jointly fund development of the latter company's BE-4 rocket engine. While ULA didn't commit to using the Blue Origin engine in its next-generation booster, its "significant" investment signaled it was enthused about the innovative rocket engine. However some members of Congress have been pushing ULA to use a different engine, the AR1, being developed by Aerojet Rocketdyne.


(...)

https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/03/blue-origins-new-engine-isnt-good-enough-for-some-congressmen/?comments=1&post=32963939

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If Pro is the opposite of Con then what is the opposite of Progress?

From what we know so far, BE-4 is cheaper, closer to flight and mostly developed with private funds. Why would ULA choose the backup plan? Or even worse, why should USAF make that call for them?

« Last Edit: 03/10/2017 04:06 pm by Dante80 »

Offline edkyle99

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Mike Rogers of Alabama I understand, but why Mac Thornberry of Texas?  It isn't in his district, but Blue tests its engines in Texas.  Aerojet Rocketdyne doesn't show up on his list of major donors or have a factory in his district as near as I can tell, although the company does spend the majority of its contributions on Republicans.

Or is this simply a rawer partisan thing due to Bezos political leanings and his ownership of the Washington Post, which President Trump deems an enemy?

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 03/10/2017 04:34 pm by edkyle99 »

Online docmordrid

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Mike Rogers of Alabama I understand, but why Mac Thornberry of Texas?  It isn't in his district, but Blue tests its engines in Texas.  Aerojet Rocketdyne doesn't show up on his list of major donors
>

In 2015-2016 he received $3,000 from Aerojet-Rocketdyne and $5,000 from Dynetics, both AR-1 team members. Defense aerospace PAC contributors....

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2016&cid=N00006052&sector=D&seclong=Defense&cat=D01&induslong=Defense+Aerospace&newMem=N

Quote
Or is this simply a rawer partisan thing due to Bezos political leanings and his ownership of the Washington Post, which President Trump deems an enemy?

 - Ed Kyle

Possible, and the saying "elections have consequences" is bipartisan in its reach.

It may not have helped that during the first meeting of Trump and US business leaders, which included Bezos, Musk and others, the look on Bezos' face was extremely dour and he hasn't returned as part of the follow-on advisory groups, to my knowledge. Musk and other tech leaders have.

You have to suit up to be in the lineup, whoever the president is.
« Last Edit: 03/10/2017 07:04 pm by docmordrid »
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Offline Robotbeat

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I think it has nothing at all to do with Trump and everything to do with the typical local Congressional politics.
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

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Offline edkyle99

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I think it has nothing at all to do with Trump and everything to do with the typical local Congressional politics.
That still does not explain Congressman Mac Thornberry of Texas.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline Robotbeat

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I think it has nothing at all to do with Trump and everything to do with the typical local Congressional politics.
That still does not explain Congressman Mac Thornberry of Texas.

 - Ed Kyle
First item on his list of campaign contributions might, though: http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2016&cid=N00006052&sector=D&seclong=Defense&cat=D01&induslong=Defense+Aerospace&newMem=N
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Offline saliva_sweet

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First item on his list of campaign contributions might, though: http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2016&cid=N00006052&sector=D&seclong=Defense&cat=D01&induslong=Defense+Aerospace&newMem=N

AR paid 3k while LM and Boeing paid 10k each. I don't think money from donors is a good explanation of his motives.

Offline Hauerg

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AR should have built that better engine long ago with their own money.

 ::)

Offline Robotbeat

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First item on his list of campaign contributions might, though: http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2016&cid=N00006052&sector=D&seclong=Defense&cat=D01&induslong=Defense+Aerospace&newMem=N

AR paid 3k while LM and Boeing paid 10k each. I don't think money from donors is a good explanation of his motives.
Did they get any money from Blue Origin? 🤔
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Offline MattMason

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First item on his list of campaign contributions might, though: http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2016&cid=N00006052&sector=D&seclong=Defense&cat=D01&induslong=Defense+Aerospace&newMem=N

AR paid 3k while LM and Boeing paid 10k each. I don't think money from donors is a good explanation of his motives.

A more logical consideration is the employment justified by AR to building such engines in his state.
« Last Edit: 03/11/2017 09:19 pm by MattMason »
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Offline edkyle99

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First item on his list of campaign contributions might, though: http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2016&cid=N00006052&sector=D&seclong=Defense&cat=D01&induslong=Defense+Aerospace&newMem=N

AR paid 3k while LM and Boeing paid 10k each. I don't think money from donors is a good explanation of his motives.

A more logical consideration is the employment justified by AR to building such engines in his state.
AR has no plans to build engines in Texas, to my knowledge.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline russianhalo117

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First item on his list of campaign contributions might, though: http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2016&cid=N00006052&sector=D&seclong=Defense&cat=D01&induslong=Defense+Aerospace&newMem=N

AR paid 3k while LM and Boeing paid 10k each. I don't think money from donors is a good explanation of his motives.

A more logical consideration is the employment justified by AR to building such engines in his state.
AR has no plans to build engines in Texas, to my knowledge.

 - Ed Kyle
AR1 last I heard was to use either the same production floor as RS-68 family or that of H-1/RS-27/RS-27A which is currently used for storage.

Online docmordrid

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First item on his list of campaign contributions might, though: http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2016&cid=N00006052&sector=D&seclong=Defense&cat=D01&induslong=Defense+Aerospace&newMem=N

AR paid 3k while LM and Boeing paid 10k each. I don't think money from donors is a good explanation of his motives.

Alternative: a vote swap with Congresscrtters where they are built. "You vote for mine and I'll vote for yours." All too common.
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Offline TomH

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First item on his list of campaign contributions might, though: http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2016&cid=N00006052&sector=D&seclong=Defense&cat=D01&induslong=Defense+Aerospace&newMem=N

AR paid 3k while LM and Boeing paid 10k each. I don't think money from donors is a good explanation of his motives.

Alternative: a vote swap with Congresscrtters where they are built. "You vote for mine and I'll vote for yours." All too common.

Exactly! Quid Pro Quo! You vote for my pork and I'll vote for yours.  >:(

Offline AncientU

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First item on his list of campaign contributions might, though: http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2016&cid=N00006052&sector=D&seclong=Defense&cat=D01&induslong=Defense+Aerospace&newMem=N

AR paid 3k while LM and Boeing paid 10k each. I don't think money from donors is a good explanation of his motives.

Alternative: a vote swap with Congresscrtters where they are built. "You vote for mine and I'll vote for yours." All too common.

Exactly! Quid Pro Quo! You vote for my pork and I'll vote for yours.  >:(

Mikulsky (JWST/Goddard) and Shelby (SLS/Marshall) partnership has been a standard of scratch my back and I'll scratch yours -- across party lines no less.  One of them has departed, so we'll see if the junior members pick up the banner.
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Offline FinalFrontier

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I think it has nothing at all to do with Trump and everything to do with the typical local Congressional politics.

Yes but the Washington post thing is a factor. Would not surprise me at all if that was the reason.

The old rules no longer apply politics wise and ownership of any of the msm outlets now  a liability. Especially that particular one
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Offline incoming

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I think it has nothing at all to do with Trump and everything to do with the typical local Congressional politics.
That still does not explain Congressman Mac Thornberry of Texas.

 - Ed Kyle

Thornberry is the full committee chair of armed services; Rogers is the armed services subcommittee chair that has jurisdiction for space launch. It's not unusual for a full committee chairman to support one of his subcommittee chairmen on an issue that is important to him. 

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