11

Space Science Coverage / Re: NASA RFI on commercial satellite/Hubble reboost

« Last post by deadman1204 on Today at 04:09 pm »

Cross-Posting

You don't believe Jared has a tilt towards SpaceX?   I appreciate the large amount of charity he does, but to say he doesn't have a bias is ridiculous.  He did seem not happy when NASA said no to attempt to move Hubble as if if they don't have a right to determine what to do.

https://twitter.com/rookisaacman/status/1806118806064169308

You misinterpreted Hubble.. as did a lot of people who only read an article & not an official report. I participated in and have seen the real NASA/SX/Polaris study. That is very different than an article with email quotes from individuals & not actually NASA.  I’m actually reasonably optimistic about the future of Hubble.  In any case, I love NASA and all they have accomplished. There would never have been an Inspiration4 or Polaris Program without NASA creating commercial crew program. I do lean SpaceX on a lot of issues especially when it comes to government or defense/aerospace industry waste and stagnation.  But not a blind follower. On the flip side it’s clear many others will blindly take the anti-SpaceX position simply because of Elon or other nonsensical reasons.

Donald Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman to be the next NASA administrator:

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=61820.msg2646124#msg2646124

If he is ultimately appointed, no idea what that means for the Polaris program. But there’s a way to go before any appointment confirmation - so for now let’s keep this thread on Polaris and discuss NASA administrator elsewhere.

Do you have any insights regarding how this news may influence the potential for servicing the Hubble Space Telescope???

All the news, including issacman is just noise. He is not a neutral source, he wants the glory of doing it.
Actual scientists and engineers decided the risks were greater than the reward of doing this.

12

Space Policy Discussion / Re: Jared Isaacman nominated as NASA Administrator

« Last post by FutureSpaceTourist on Today at 04:06 pm »

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1864355204570681372

Congratulations to my friend @rookisaacman.

I have had the great opportunity to follow and photograph him during his two spaceflight campaigns over the last almost four years. That’s consisted of countless fighter jet flights, mountaineering, all types of extracurricular spaceflight training like scuba diving and skydiving, and more, all around the country and the world. And through it all, I’ve seen someone in Jared who is perfectly fit to lead NASA.

Through Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn, I have seen a man deeply committed to furthering humanity’s progress in space, but also committed to addressing hardships here on Earth in raising over $250M for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and furthering Starlink connectivity efforts globally, as to improve telemedicine capabilities on a worldwide scale.

But most importantly and largely behind the scenes, I have seen firsthand all of the ways in which he is an honorable, humble, kind, empathetic, intelligent, and bold leader. I can earnestly say he is one of the kindest humans I’ve ever met.

At an event a few weeks ago, someone unexpectedly asked me what is the one key takeaway I’ve had from shadowing Jared these last few years. I had no clue what to say. It was all so obvious, but how could I sum that up succinctly? A business leader, pilot, astronaut, etc — what do you even say?

After a a bit of thinking, I simply said, “he’s measured.”

He does not let the wins get to his head, and is not broken by the lows. He responds, not reacts. He’s incredible at empowering others to do what they do best, while providing the support and leadership to ensure all vectors are aligned toward the common goal.

Steadfast, consistent, and measured — yet bold — leadership is exactly what NASA needs at this moment, and I can’t wait to see the direction NASA takes under his leadership.

The great adventure is just beginning. To the Moon and Mars. Congrats Rook.

13

Commercial Space Flight General / Re: The Reaction Engines Skylon/SABRE Master Thread (7)

« Last post by dondar on Today at 04:05 pm »

RE didn't fail due to any fault of the technology or concept. RE failed because it was stuck in development hell for 35 years without coming up with a marketable product to pay the bills. That's what you have to do when you're not funded by tech billionaires, you can't be a startup indefinitely.

RE got 150mln (since 2015) officially, 40mln in 2024 alone. I am talking about equities, not research contracts which also existed. A lot (pretty much similar if not bigger number). The failure is fundamental and technical primarily which led to the financial troubles because nobody wants to finance high profile "cold fusion" project when it becomes clear that it is "cold fusion".

Keep on eye on the reuse of their heat exchanger tech. (it would be a revolutionary device for "ordinary" supersonic cruise planes if existed). Anywhere. Very very attentively.

14

Space Policy Discussion / Re: Jared Isaacman nominated as NASA Administrator

« Last post by freddo411 on Today at 04:03 pm »

Wow, this will be very exciting.

As we all know, the real battles will be in Congress.

Imagine what is possible to do in 4 years.    Jared and this administration brings a desire to do things quickly, and without the baggage of existing notions.

Ad Astra

15

Space Policy Discussion / Re: Jared Isaacman nominated as NASA Administrator

« Last post by yg1968 on Today at 04:03 pm »

It will be interesting to see who gets the Deputy Adminsitrator nomination. Mike Gold? Lori Garver? Greg Autry?

16

Space Policy Discussion / Re: Jared Isaacman nominated as NASA Administrator

« Last post by FutureSpaceTourist on Today at 03:58 pm »

The only real downside I could think of is lack of connections with Congress. The last two NASA administrators have had Congressional experience and used their relationships with Congress to make things go a bit more smoothly in that area.

Yes, as always funding is key. With a very small House majority if someone wants to make a fuss about funding for their favourite program in their  district things could be difficult. On the other hand, because Jared isn’t party political it may increase the chances for continued bipartisan support (at least compared to some other potential candidates).

I think the strength of support for SLS in the new Congress will big a big determinant of what happens next. That’s where much of the current budget goes.

I think Jared will be confirmed. The big fight will be over what the budget is allocated to.

17

Commercial Space Flight General / Re: The Reaction Engines Skylon/SABRE Master Thread (7)

« Last post by lamontagne on Today at 03:58 pm »

RE didn't fail due to any fault of the technology or concept. RE failed because it was stuck in development hell for 35 years without coming up with a marketable product to pay the bills. That's what you have to do when you're not funded by tech billionaires, you can't be a startup indefinitely.

To be precise, SpaceX could sell a non recoverable rocket service and use it to develop a recoverable rocket, using left over margins.  And they had a great contract with NASA to provide services to the ISS.  This was not possible for RE, there was no way, as far as I know, to test and get money back at the same time.  If Britain (or Europe) had managed their own space station, perhaps things could have been different.

18

Advanced Concepts / Re: Humanoid Robots for Moon and Mars

« Last post by InterestedEngineer on Today at 03:58 pm »

Mars will start out with cargo being stored out in the open on their shipping pallets until needed, then likely slowly migrate into storing pallets in semi-protected shelters until pressurized shelters can be built. Even then, there will be inventory that will just stay "outside" until it is needed.

You have noticed the rough ground on Mars photographs, right?

You're kidding, right?

One of the first pieces of equipment off of the first Starship to land will be some sort of wheeled vehicle with a blade attachment. Then they will grade the area for walking and driving paths, and the storage areas. Take the blade attachment off and the vehicle can go about the other duties it has.

Even with smart articulate robots you don't want to have to be stepping over rocks and uneven ground around your base, so grading needs to be a very early priority. Heck, you don't want humans stumbling over rocks and uneven surfaces either, so grading is not only needed for storing your inventory, but for safety reasons too.

But for applications where grading won't/can't be done, just add some fold out legs to the pallets... 

I've been working construction for a while. Storing materials in rough terrain is done all the time on some sites. We prefer flat ground, but that is not always practical. Wheels and tracks seem to go pretty much anywhere we need including 30 degree slopes with operators in the cab. Probably 45-60 degree slopes with remote operation of machines designed for it. I'm not sold on legs being the answer though I could be persuaded.

Some of our machines will take a half dozen attachments from blades to forks to buckets to work platforms. It seems possible to me that a fairly mundane solution will be used off world based on current machinery.

Who is going to operate the machinery?  You going to build AI and all it's loooong training into it, while still having manual controls for when humans show up?

or use the AI for a humanoid robot, whose baseline is already trained, and use the robot to operate the machinery?

Who is going to reach in the side and fix a cable that has broken?  Not a tracked vehicle.

Who is going to set up and test the airlocks on the buildings?  A tracked vehicle?

19

Space Policy Discussion / Re: Jared Isaacman nominated as NASA Administrator

« Last post by Satori on Today at 03:52 pm »

Shocked!

Paying the favours.

20

Space Policy Discussion / Re: Jared Isaacman nominated as NASA Administrator

« Last post by Galactic Penguin SST on Today at 03:50 pm »

I wonder if this really came into play. Still shocked that I actually guessed something right on this:

He'll strongly value Elon Musk's preferences, and if they can't push their picks through a slim majority in Senate confirmation, he'll use a series of "acting" appointments to bypass Senate confirmation.

I think at the top of the short list will be people we know as enthusiasts but aren't household names. Steve Jurvetson for example.

If one goes over this path of thinking...Jared Issacman seems more of a possible candidate. After all he already has long time experience dealing with the US government and military via his Draken International.