NASA FY 2012 Budget Request for NASA Updates

[Carl G]

I think Robert's been listening to a difference event

[Ronsmytheiii]

Bolden said (paraphrased): 'We haven't done anything on the reference vehicle, because we weren't sure what exactly you wanted. We're using the (70mt-130mt) as the reference vehicle baseline, but that could change.'

At least something to that affect. To me, they (NASA) are waiting for the 3 RAC team reports to come out to convince congress that there is a better way.

(As an aside, and somthing I've been chewing on, is IF during that one-on-one between Obama & Musk at KSC, that Musk didn't exchange words about FH and how it can meet their needs, he just needed more time. Then Obama presents 'his' commercial budget with technology development, but congress had other ideas)

Later on he specifically said that it would be shuttle derived.

[AndrewSTS]

Senator Hutchison asking about contract modifications, fears things are being dragged out.

General Bolden: Orion may not need a contract modification. It's a BEO vehicle. But got to get costs down, descope the vehicle in some manner.

Orion is the DRV. Our hope is to work an evolvable HLV.

SLS will eventually end up, no question, with a 130mt vehicle. First vehicle may be a 70mt vehicle.

WOW, he's practically confirming SD HLV as it stands now?
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/03/sls-studies-focusing-sd-hlv-versus-rp-1-f-1-engines/

That's a big deal compared to his previous comments.

[Namechange User]

Senator Mikulski: How do you get off the GAO risk list? And is there a new world order on contracting (cost plus to fixed price)?

Mr. Bolden: Doubt we will ever get off that list, what we do is one of a kind.

Not watching the hearing, nor honestly do I care anymore, but just wondering how he squares the above with what he seemingly said earlier in the hearing based on some of the posts I've read.  Thoughts?

[northanger]

Senator Mikulski: Let's get that CR on the web and close out 2011.

yai!

[Chris Bergin]

Senator Brown concerned about safety with the commercial vehicles because of a lot of satellite failures.

General Bolden notes they will have to pass the NASA standards. Any test that would - or will - be required of the MPCV, a commercial vehicle will have to pass such a test.

[Ben the Space Brit]

General Bolden notes they will have to pass the NASA standards. Any test that would - or will - be required of the MPCV, a commercial vehicle will have to pass such a test.

This has an interesting implication.  It also could mean that MPCV must pass any test required of the commercial crew taxis.  That could lead to a longer and more phased LEO test program for MPCV.

[northanger]

Mr Bolden: My plan is next week to give you "the plan for the plan".



We are not stalling or wasting money.

[Chris Bergin]

Glenn will keep responsibility for Orion based work on the new vehicle, whatever they call it (MPCV).

Said NASA will explain how they got to the DRV. USA will get the best HLV they've ever had. Will bring the info to the commitee.

[northanger]

Senators Mikulski: Godspeed STS-134 and may the force be with you.

Senator Hutchison really points out the poignancy of this launch and the importance of AMS.

[Namechange User]

Mr Bolden: My plan is next week to give you "the plan for the plan".

Seriously, he said that?  So what the heck has been happening for the last two or so years? 

So just now we are beginning to make a plan to make a plan?  Seriously, someone tell me that I am not understanding that correctly, please. 

[Namechange User]

Glenn will keep responsibility for Orion based work on the new vehicle, whatever they call it (MPCV).

Well, that is a mistake.  I find that odd given what he supposedly said about trying to cut costs with Orion.  Why have one lead project center when you can have two for twice the overhead?

[northanger]

Don't tell me all of these people don't love NASA. I admire them all. Godspeed.

[robertross]

General Bolden notes they will have to pass the NASA standards. Any test that would - or will - be required of the MPCV, a commercial vehicle will have to pass such a test.

This has an interesting implication.  It also could mean that MPCV must pass any test required of the commercial crew taxis.  That could lead to a longer and more phased LEO test program for MPCV.

No, what caught me was as how Chris wrote it (correctly transcribed):

any commercial vehicle must pass the requirements of MPCV.
I think that could be overkill. Also isn't it great that NASA is building Orion (as an MPCV) to some 'standard' that commercial don't yet know of for their own designs?

[Chris Bergin]

Senator Hutchison is very excited about AMS and the last two flights. Notes for Gabby attending.

Uh oh, General Bolden is getting teary over Gabby and keeping the crew safe. But makes a good point about his priority being about the crew. Mark Kelly is focused on the mission. Incredibly important mission and we're not doing anything different for STS-134. If we're not happy with something, we won't go.

Wants Gabby to be there, for the triumph over evil.

I think that's it.

[robertross]

Mr Bolden: My plan is next week to give you "the plan for the plan".

Seriously, he said that?  So what the heck has been happening for the last two or so years? 

So just now we are beginning to make a plan to make a plan?  Seriously, someone tell me that I am not understanding that correctly, please. 

(deafening silence ensues)

[northanger]

Mr Bolden: My plan is next week to give you "the plan for the plan".

Seriously, he said that?  So what the heck has been happening for the last two or so years? 

So just now we are beginning to make a plan to make a plan?  Seriously, someone tell me that I am not understanding that correctly, please. 

It's been coming in, as Mr Bolden noted, incrementally.

[Mark S]

(deafening silence ensues)

Sorry, they started talking about Gabby Giffords and something got in my eye for a moment.

Seriously though, just now coming up with a plan for a plan is pretty lame. Today is six months since the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 was signed into law (PL #111-267) by the President. Is NASA management so hidebound that six months to come up with a plan for a plan is seen as being nimble and responsive?

And while Bolden did make it sound like SLS was definitely going to be Shuttle-derived, in actuality he just said that the SLS design reference vehicle is Shuttle-derived. There is no guarantee that what NASA actually chooses for SLS will be the DRV.

[robertross]

I think Robert's been listening to a difference event

Nope, I'm just seeing these things in a whole new light now.

Don't know whether to smile or frown. Probably the latter.

No real new information here. More delays & stalling tactics - especially when we hear (for the second time now) 'working on the plan for the plan'.

HONESTLY: who here believes that Gen. Bolden (in his own words: he will, from the time he leaves this event to this evening) make the decision on where the orbiters will go. Him alone will essentially be the one to decide where they go, and hasn't even looked at it yet or made 'some' kind of decision? I'm sorry, I find that very hard to swallow. You would think that AT LEAST Discovery would be pre-destined, and that it would go to the Smithsonian. The others might be more of a 'toss-up', especially Enterprise, but I'm not buying it.

[northanger]

Something got in my eye too.

Anyway, my all-time favorite NSF article from 2005: Hitman Hill lays down the law.