In the meantime, Chris Shank has been appointed to lead the NASA landing team. Shank is a retired congressional staffer, who supported Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tenn.). Given that Smith is a strong advocate of Orion and SLS, I think supporters of those two programs can now breathe a sigh of relief.Smith has also been critical of ARM, and, along with Sen. Babin, has just launched another critical inquiry into it.So, my bets, most confident first, are: 1. Earth sciences are cut (we all know that, right?). 2. SLS and Orion carry on. 3. ARM dies.
Of course, we're all still wondering who the new NASA administrator might be. People we've heard about in the media lately -- not that it has to be one of them -- who seem to still be in the frame are Rep. Brindenstine, Scott Pace and Eileen Collins. Maybe Mike Griffin, though I'm not sure he qualifies as someone we've heard about lately. They are all consistent with keeping Orion/SLS. That Trump seems attracted to hero-figures must be a plus for Collins.
Quote from: Lar on 11/30/2016 09:07 pmThis may or may not be truehttp://spacenews.com/trump-names-insider-to-lead-nasa-transition"In a Nov. 29 statement, the office of President-elect Trump announced that Chris Shank will serve on the landing team for NASA, the first individual named to date to handle transition issues for the space agency"Its true according to the website for the Office of the President Elect and of the Vice President Elect:https://www.greatagain.gov/news/president-elect-trump-announces-additional-agency-landing-team-members-3.html
This may or may not be truehttp://spacenews.com/trump-names-insider-to-lead-nasa-transition"In a Nov. 29 statement, the office of President-elect Trump announced that Chris Shank will serve on the landing team for NASA, the first individual named to date to handle transition issues for the space agency"
"We are the nation that won two world wars, that dug out the Panama canal, that put a man on the moon, and satellites all over space. But somewhere along the way, we started thinking small. I'm asking you to dream big again, and bold and daring things for your country will happen once again. I'm asking you to join me in this next chapter of this unbelievable and unprecedented movement, as we work toward prosperity at home, peace abroad, and new frontiers in science, technology, and space."
Six more added to the NASA transition team: http://spacenews.com/trump-adds-steve-cook-sandy-magnus-to-nasa-transition-team/
Greg Autry, who is on the Trump NASA Transition Team, had this to say about NASA on 15 October.http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregautry/2016/10/15/space-policy-101-for-clinton-and-trump/#55a319962853"We support the spirit of Senate efforts to stabilize NASA’s budget and go a step further by immediately increasing NASA allocation by 50% to $27 billion, annually adjusted for inflation.""We will fully fund the Commercial Crew Program, which builds on the success of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) in resupplying the space station.""We will discontinue spending on Space Launch System (SLS), a giant government rocket, lacking both innovation and a mission.""NASA’s manned program lacks a mission. We support President Obama’s call for a firm commitment to Mars. Importantly, we will not plant a flag, collect some rocks and then pack up. Our goal must be to establish an economically sustainable human presence in our Solar System."
Outright canceling the SLS isn't the best idea given how the first one is literally under construction now....
Outright canceling the SLS isn't the best idea given how the first one is literally under construction now, although I don't think Trump would approve of its expense and slow progress either.
The first flight of SLS will serve only as a test of the launch vehicle, ex-EUS, and of Orion. Any operational use of the launch vehicle will be at least four years and $8+ billion in the future, and quite likely six years and $12+ billion, even if one regards the first flight of EUS as operational. Hence, I don't see the planned 2018 launch of SLS by itself as reason to keep SLS going.
Brilliant. If every new President cancels the previous President's space plans, we will never get off this rock.
Brilliant. If every new President cancels the previous President's space plans, we will never get off this rock.....
I think there will be a strong push back on Earth Sciences after all it's not just climate change.Greg Autry is opposed to continuing the SLS, arguing that Blue Origin and SpaceX can provide better rockets for lower price. Orion will remain.