March 5, 2014 Hearing on National Security Space Launch Programs (Musk and Gass)

[yg1968]

COMMITTEE on APPROPRIATIONS

Appropriations Committee Schedule for the Week of March 3, 2014

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Defense Subcommittee (Chairman Durbin)
Time and Location: 10:00 a.m., in Room SD-192 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building
Agenda: National Security Space Launch Programs

Witnesses: Cristina Chaplain
Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management
Government Accountability Office

Michael Gass
President and Chief Executive Officer
United Launch Alliance

Elon Musk
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Designer
Space Exploration Technologies

Dr. Scott Pace
Director, Space Policy Institute
Elliott School of International Affairs
George Washington University

*All hearings are webcast live at www.appropriations.senate.gov

http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news.cfm?method=news.view&id=88344636-71d8-47bf-aa5e-1106aef29aab

[Robert Thompson]

I hope someone drops some bass on

[rcoppola]

Re-posted from another thread:

I guarantee they will be asked about what they would deem as an appropriate response to the current tensions with regards to keeping our domestic access to space with limited to no foreign dependencies.

I suspect Commercial Crew will be touched upon in that context. Elon can be quite forthright and I think he'll be more then happy to point out that Falcon and Dragon remain completely domestic in nature with no foreign (Russian, Ukraine) dependancies (engines, stages).

This could get very interesting, very quickly. (If it hasn't already)

[Rocket Science]

Re-posted from another thread:

I guarantee they will be asked about what they would deem as an appropriate response to the current tensions with regards to keeping our domestic access to space with limited to no foreign dependencies.

I suspect Commercial Crew will be touched upon in that context. Elon can be quite forthright and I think he'll be more then happy to point out that Falcon and Dragon remain completely domestic in nature with no foreign (Russian, Ukraine) dependancies (engines, stages).

This could get very interesting, very quickly. (If it hasn't already)

I might go out and buy extra popcorn for watching this one...

[rsnellenberger]

Is the recent EELV contract extension/revision/(whatever) by DOD going to be up for discussion?  Or the current status of SpaceX's qualification to bid for EELV launches?

[edkyle99]

This could get very interesting, very quickly. (If it hasn't already)

If nothing else, it might put the Russian/US space interdependence problems into the primary news.   It would be good for the general public to ponder these issues.

 - Ed Kyle

[Chris Bergin]

This could get very interesting, very quickly. (If it hasn't already)

If nothing else, it might put the Russian/US space interdependence problems into the primary news.   It would be good for the general public to ponder these issues.

 - Ed Kyle

Especially when there are still people who think the Shuttle is still flying, in reaction to "Gravity".

[PahTo]

...not just education, but awareness and curiosity.  Real forehead slappers!

But this thread will really heat up once the hearing is underway--glad to see it happening.  At least someone is aware there are issues/concerns with US access to space, especially in the HSF arena.  Sad that it has to take events like those unfolding to make it happen...

[Star One]

...not just education, but awareness and curiosity.  Real forehead slappers!

But this thread will really heat up once the hearing is underway--glad to see it happening.  At least someone is aware there are issues/concerns with US access to space, especially in the HSF arena.  Sad that it has to take events like those unfolding to make it happen...

Has ULA done much work if any at all into looking for alternative engines for their launchers?

[PahTo]

Has ULA done much work if any at all into looking for alternative engines for their launchers?

An excellent question, and one that I suppose can be refined to "...alternative engines for the core stage of Atlas V" or "...alternative kerolox engines for core" since the Delta IV family uses U.S. engines for core and upper stage.

EDIT:  noted core stage for Atlas V since we all know the Centaur is RL-10...

[Chris Bergin]

So if we can all keep an eye on this one today, it'd be appreciated. I can't transcribe, real busy week with the jobs that put food on my table this week, but I will be aiming to write an article on what's said....probably more so Elon (I know, I know, but he usually comes out with the best quotes.)

[Chris Bergin]

Maybe if I post "Elon's speaking" in the SpaceX section, we'll be overrun by people wanting to cover this?

[yg1968]

Webcast started.

[mlindner]

I can't find a link to the stream. Link?

[bad_astra]

Sen Durban speaking now.

[Chris Bergin]

I can't find a link to the stream. Link?

http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/streama.cfm - on the first post!

[mlindner]

I can't find a link to the stream. Link?

http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/streama.cfm - on the first post!

Thanks, apparently missed that.

[Chris Bergin]

Senator Shelby likes ULA! 100 percent success rate.

[Chris Bergin]

"Competition may not result in lower costs". This after the cost went up 60 percent over the last three years.

Elon's going to have to battle him.

[mlindner]

So if we can all keep an eye on this one today, it'd be appreciated. I can't transcribe, real busy week with the jobs that put food on my table this week, but I will be aiming to write an article on what's said....probably more so Elon (I know, I know, but he usually comes out with the best quotes.)

I'd help transcribe but I have a flight off to Arizona in 3 hours to interview with Oribtal. *fingers crossed*