Author Topic: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview  (Read 533784 times)

Offline marsavian

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #140 on: 12/01/2010 03:09 pm »
Senator Nelson asks Holdren and Robinson whether they intend to follow the law and they agree. Nelson disagrees and says they are still following President's budget request.
« Last Edit: 12/01/2010 03:13 pm by marsavian »

Offline TexasRED

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #141 on: 12/01/2010 03:10 pm »
I am getting the impression that they are NOT happy with the admin one bit.

Offline Cog_in_the_machine

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #142 on: 12/01/2010 03:19 pm »
Seems like the senate bill wasn't specific enough and NASA still has wiggle room to follow something more akin to 2011...with 2010 funding, because of the CR. This is an interesting and precarious position the admin is taking.
^^ Warning! Contains opinions. ^^ 

Offline marsavian

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #143 on: 12/01/2010 03:20 pm »
Senator Hutchison asks Robinson whether STS-135 will fly even under another CR and she agrees.

Offline marsavian

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #144 on: 12/01/2010 03:24 pm »
Holdren/Robinson answer Senator Hutchison saying they will follow the law regarding SLS/MPCV.

Offline marsavian

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #145 on: 12/01/2010 03:30 pm »
Senator Vitter agreeing specific language with all witnesses that needs to be inserted in any new CR to implement the 2010 Act going forward.

Offline marsavian

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #146 on: 12/01/2010 03:34 pm »
Senator Warner discusses commercial developments with Holdren and both pleased the Deficit Commission drops their 'bullseye' on it.

Offline marsavian

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #147 on: 12/01/2010 03:39 pm »
Senator LeMieux asks Robinson what haven't they done due to no appropriations bill being passed and she says specific funding for each new activity not clear.

Offline Namechange User

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #148 on: 12/01/2010 03:41 pm »
Senator LeMieux asks Robinson what haven't they done due to no appropriations bill being passed and she says specific funding for each new activity not clear.

And that is the central issue.  The fact that both OSTP director and the CFO danced around the question and fumbled should say a lot. 
Enjoying viewing the forum a little better now by filtering certain users.

Offline marsavian

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #149 on: 12/01/2010 03:42 pm »
Senator Cantwell asks Robinson about SEP demonstration funding and Orbiter retirement home selection.
« Last Edit: 12/01/2010 03:44 pm by marsavian »

Offline marsavian

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #150 on: 12/01/2010 03:56 pm »
Senator Nelson asks Holdren whether NASA will consult fully with Congress over FY2012 budget request and says yes, will do better than FY2011.
« Last Edit: 12/01/2010 04:23 pm by marsavian »

Offline marsavian

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #151 on: 12/01/2010 03:56 pm »
Senator Hutchison states design of SLS from NASA a priority.
« Last Edit: 12/01/2010 03:57 pm by marsavian »

Offline marsavian

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #152 on: 12/01/2010 04:01 pm »
Robinson says if only $18.7bn agreed then Bolden decided new Space Launch complex would take the financial hit.
« Last Edit: 12/01/2010 04:01 pm by marsavian »

Offline marsavian

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #153 on: 12/01/2010 04:16 pm »
Senator Nelson asks about JWST resolution and whether heritage will help SLS development meet schedule and cost and then wraps the meeting up stating he hopes that some clarity has been brought to the way forward from the meeting.
« Last Edit: 12/01/2010 04:22 pm by marsavian »

Offline yg1968

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« Last Edit: 12/01/2010 04:26 pm by yg1968 »

Offline TimL

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #155 on: 12/01/2010 04:50 pm »
Pretty much a waste of time...are you following the law, yes we're following the law, you better follow the law, we're following the law...
"Well if we get lost, we'll just pull in someplace and ask for directions"

Offline jml

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #156 on: 12/01/2010 04:55 pm »
The GAO report as entered into the official testimony of the hearing is here:
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/?a=Files.Serve&File_id=e6c1960c-dcf7-4cdc-88f3-fccd20d05110

Along with some scathing criticism of JWST overruns, this document discusses the GAO ruling about the Continuing Resolution language that was supposed to prohibit NASA stopping any "Program, Project, or Activity" within CxP. A footnote in this document mentions that "program, project or activity" are OMB accounting terms with specific meanings that differ from what you or I would see as the plain meaning of those words. The ruling from GAO seems to give NASA enough leeway to "prioritize" funding within CxP as NASA sees fit while this continuing resolution language is in effect. As in, NASA can decide to "prioritize" almost all their CxP funding during the life of the continuing resolution towards Orion and Commercial Crew, and defer anything more than minimal spending on Ares I for now.

Quote
In July, we considered whether NASA improperly terminated or eliminated any program, project, or activity of the Constellation program. We determined that NASA had five programs, projects, or activities within the “Constellation Systems” category:

Program Integration and Operations,
Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle,
Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle,
Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle, and
Commercial Crew and Cargo

We concluded that NASA did not terminate or eliminate any program, project, or activity of the Constellation program because NASA continued to obligate Exploration appropriations to all five of the Constellation programs, projects, and activities. NASA diverted no Exploration funds to create a new program, project, or activity. We also noted that as long as NASA does not improperly create or terminate a program, project, or activity, the agency has discretion in how it carries out the Constellation program consistent with Congress’s statutory direction. Shifts in priority do not in themselves constitute the termination or elimination of a program, project, or activity.

Offline Namechange User

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #157 on: 12/01/2010 05:25 pm »
Pretty much a waste of time...are you following the law, yes we're following the law, you better follow the law, we're following the law...

I think there were actually some interesting pieces of information.  While maybe not "breaking news", important nonetheless. 

1.  STS-135:  While the mission is being planned, hardware being processed, etc the statement from the CFO about the "intent" to fly it, and that the money is there even with a full-year CR, is the most official "go", to the best of my knowledge, we (the general workforce) have heard from someone within the senior administration speaking on the record and for all to hear.  I personally would not underestimate that. 

2.  Another is a bit more subtle.  It was in response to a question asked by Senator Nelson and the "legal clarity" NASA lawyers have given NASA administration regarding certain issues.  I found it quite interesting the response the CFO gave and the "pecking order" that was defined and supposedly why.  Personally, I found that to speak volumes. 

3.  Senator Vitter's use of logic in what can naturally be a very illogical environment.  By that, simply inserting words in the CR that directs NASA to work to the 2010 Authorization law when spending the money allocated to NASA in FY2011.  I especially liked him asking for the correspondance that supposedly had taken place regarding that and to be "in-the-loop" so-to-speak with the final words placed in any potential CR.  To me, that was very simple and true "oversight" and a simple step but a potential big jump forward. 
« Last Edit: 12/01/2010 05:38 pm by OV-106 »
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Offline yg1968

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #158 on: 12/01/2010 05:38 pm »
Pretty much a waste of time...are you following the law, yes we're following the law, you better follow the law, we're following the law...

I disagree. Senator Vitters' questions and statements on the language that needs to be introduced in the next continuing resolution in order to allow the implementing the 2010 NASA Authorization bill would help a lot. Right now the 2009 appropriation bill is constraining NASA from moving forward and prevents them from cancelling Constellation contracts.

Offline yg1968

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Re: NASA FY 2011 Appropriations - preview
« Reply #159 on: 12/01/2010 06:04 pm »
Robinson says if only $18.7bn agreed then Bolden decided new Space Launch complex would take the financial hit.

Just to clarify, the work on the new space launch complex would be postponed but not cancelled. In other words, the work on it would be deferred to a later time in order to save money for FY 2011 only. Incidentally, that's also important news. Nelson said that he wanted details on this as it could have an impact on the timeline.

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