http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2512/1Griffin said he was confident that the US had the capability to develop a domestic version of the RD-180 if needed. “There’s been enough investment in the US side to replicate the coating and metallurgy technology that goes into the RD-180,” he said. “I think the national-level question is not could we, but should we.” He noted that the license to produce the RD-180 in the US expires in 2022. “It might be renewed, but maybe it won’t.” I've been confused on this for some time, why would we exercise this license at all when we can design our own?I can't see any benefit. Am I missing something?
Found this to be interesting and ties in with the subject.Sounds like a comprehensive gameplan.NIRPS National Institute for Rocket Propulsion Systemshttps://nirps.msfc.nasa.gov/home
John, Thanks for the CPIAC link as that is new to me.I think you're right. NIRPS sure sounds like a civilian advocacy group.There is no shortage of options for the U.S. space program / industry.As long as there is no real money to be made independent of govt. contracts.... well, the fight for Fed $ continues.DOD has done a good job of taking care of its needs butit's a shame NASA is at the whim of W.H. "leadership."Maybe a major restructuring of NASA is needed? Blasphemy!
Also illegal AFAIK only Congress can close NASA centres (I've always wondered is that SOP for all federal agencies or is NASA a special case?)The whole WH/Congress/NASA (with the Congress in 2 houses for good measure) seems designed to guarantee delay, disagreement and veto at just about every turn.
Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc., Rancho Cordova, California, has been awarded a $22,763,966 contract modification (P00139) to a previously awarded (FA9300-07-C-0001) in support of the existing contractual effort for the design, build, and test of a reusable oxidizer rich staged combustion cycle booster engine with utilizing baseline propellants liquid oxygen. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $218,442,413. Work will be performed in Rancho Cordova, California, with an expected completion date of Dec. 24, 2020. Air Force Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.