But with Isaacman as NASA administrator under a president who want to land Americans on Mars, he can just redirect NASA to help SpaceX instead.
It's not unethical for the head of the FAA to fly on a Boeing airliner. I think Polaris would happily fly on Blue Origin if they were flying.
Quote from: thespacecow on 12/06/2024 12:44 amQuote from: thespacecow on 12/05/2024 11:22 amThere may no longer be any reason for continuing Polaris Program. The program exists to help SpaceX developing technologies for their human Mars mission, this was necessary since NASA was not doing it. But with Isaacman as NASA administrator under a president who want to land Americans on Mars, he can just redirect NASA to help SpaceX instead.Of course it's up to Isaacman, but that's part of the problem, he's going to be very busy leading NASA, I doubt he'll have time for Polaris. And even if he has time, it's ethically dubious for him to be the administrator of NASA while at the same time leading a private space program for one of NASA's contractors.I don't agree that there is no more reason for Polaris. I found the concept of private civilian astronauts to be very exciting. That space is open to more people than just the professional astronaut class. Fresh minds, fresh perspectives and feedback. With Starship we need more civilians not fewer. This should not be NASA only. Dear Moon should still happen, doesn't have to be the same people.Isaacman can take a leave of absence, hand off day to day operations. And I don't think it's an ethical concern. It's not unethical for the head of the FAA to fly on a Boeing airliner. I think Polaris would happily fly on Blue Origin if they were flying.Personally I think Isaacman should take a crew of 4 up to the ISS for a week while Administrator. Not as a publicity stunt. Take people to design the Starship interior, who need real world experience. Or maybe they fly to the first orbital HLS demo to dock, go on board and try it out.1) JA does not have to be on the flight. This is not self promotion, or an excuse for a thrill. I believe! 2) My pet idea about JA and these Polaris - etc - missions, that no one has really commented on, is that:... JA is contemplating making a space business, somewhat like his Draken, but not fighter combat training! Instead compete astronaut training, including basic, and specialised roles. WHEN Starship starts carrying astronauts, it will only be a year or two till a few hundred people fly in ONE YEAR, vastly exceeding the capacity of NASA facilities and personnel, and clearly far outside of their remit. No one else will be ready to capture the bulk of this market.3) Therefore it is likely that Polaris will be only as JA says, delayed a bit. Maybe slightly refocussed, If I am right Polaris will fly additional potential future leaders, and instructors for his Astronauts International (or whatever). All 3 of his fellows on Polaris Dawn, fit this description.4) These developments do not contradict his NASA Admin role.
Quote from: thespacecow on 12/05/2024 11:22 amThere may no longer be any reason for continuing Polaris Program. The program exists to help SpaceX developing technologies for their human Mars mission, this was necessary since NASA was not doing it. But with Isaacman as NASA administrator under a president who want to land Americans on Mars, he can just redirect NASA to help SpaceX instead.Of course it's up to Isaacman, but that's part of the problem, he's going to be very busy leading NASA, I doubt he'll have time for Polaris. And even if he has time, it's ethically dubious for him to be the administrator of NASA while at the same time leading a private space program for one of NASA's contractors.I don't agree that there is no more reason for Polaris. I found the concept of private civilian astronauts to be very exciting. That space is open to more people than just the professional astronaut class. Fresh minds, fresh perspectives and feedback. With Starship we need more civilians not fewer. This should not be NASA only. Dear Moon should still happen, doesn't have to be the same people.Isaacman can take a leave of absence, hand off day to day operations. And I don't think it's an ethical concern. It's not unethical for the head of the FAA to fly on a Boeing airliner. I think Polaris would happily fly on Blue Origin if they were flying.Personally I think Isaacman should take a crew of 4 up to the ISS for a week while Administrator. Not as a publicity stunt. Take people to design the Starship interior, who need real world experience. Or maybe they fly to the first orbital HLS demo to dock, go on board and try it out.
There may no longer be any reason for continuing Polaris Program. The program exists to help SpaceX developing technologies for their human Mars mission, this was necessary since NASA was not doing it. But with Isaacman as NASA administrator under a president who want to land Americans on Mars, he can just redirect NASA to help SpaceX instead.Of course it's up to Isaacman, but that's part of the problem, he's going to be very busy leading NASA, I doubt he'll have time for Polaris. And even if he has time, it's ethically dubious for him to be the administrator of NASA while at the same time leading a private space program for one of NASA's contractors.
Quote from: Norm38 on 12/18/2024 07:54 pm It's not unethical for the head of the FAA to fly on a Boeing airliner. I think Polaris would happily fly on Blue Origin if they were flying.not the same thing. It would be an airline vs Boeing
Quote from: thespacecow on 12/05/2024 11:22 am But with Isaacman as NASA administrator under a president who want to land Americans on Mars, he can just redirect NASA to help SpaceX instead.no, he can't
I had a look at Jared Isaacman's Polaris Programme website (https://polarisprogram.com/) and I see that the information about the Solaris Programme consisting of three missions has disappeared! Previously there was yes, very briefly about the next two planned missions, but there was. Now nothing about these missions. Presumably this is linked to the latest appointment...
There may no longer be any reason for continuing Polaris Program. The program exists to help SpaceX developing technologies for their human Mars mission, this was necessary since NASA was not doing it. But with Isaacman as NASA administrator under a president who want to land Americans on Mars, he can just redirect NASA to help SpaceX instead.
Elon Musk’s Space Business Partner Is Poised to Take Over NASA:https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/elon-musk-jared-isaacman-nasa-spacex-business-partner-1235301236/Quote from: the Rolling Stone articleAccording to Isaacman’s financial disclosure, his agreement with SpaceX for his Polaris Program, his private spaceflight program, is worth more than $50 million. The agreement is for “space flight services & strategic agreements.” [..] In his ethics agreement, Isaacman promised that he would terminate his company’s contracts with SpaceX, and said that SpaceX would send a refund for services that had not been completed yet — meaning that his company could receive millions from SpaceX if he is confirmed. The article isn't great but it has links to a couple of interesting recent disclosures:https://extapps2.oge.gov/201/Presiden.nsf/PAS+Index/5717A2DE21B47AE885258C4E002C7F98/%24FILE/Isaacman%2C%20Jared%20T.%20%20final278.pdfhttps://extapps2.oge.gov/201/Presiden.nsf/PAS+Index/0658F247A947547785258C4E002C8D96/%24FILE/Isaacman%2C%20Jared%20T.%20%20finalEA.pdf
According to Isaacman’s financial disclosure, his agreement with SpaceX for his Polaris Program, his private spaceflight program, is worth more than $50 million. The agreement is for “space flight services & strategic agreements.” [..] In his ethics agreement, Isaacman promised that he would terminate his company’s contracts with SpaceX, and said that SpaceX would send a refund for services that had not been completed yet — meaning that his company could receive millions from SpaceX if he is confirmed.
meaning that his company could receive millions from SpaceX if he is confirmed.
With the news of Isaacman losing the NASA administrator nomination, let's hope that the Polaris Program is back on the table.Given the anti science hell that's now likely to descend on NASA, I'd put the chance of the Hubble servicing mission happening as unlikely.
