Author Topic: Senate Commerce Committee Executive and Congress Version - July 15 onwards  (Read 710876 times)

Offline Chris Bergin

There's a letter from Neil Armstrong, James Lovell and Eugene Cernan to Chairwoman Mikulski and Ranking Member Shelby coming out shortly.

Make of it what you will when it's published.
Support NSF via L2 -- Help improve NSF -- Site Rules/Feedback/Updates
**Not a L2 member? Whitelist this forum in your adblocker to support the site and ensure full functionality.**

Offline CessnaDriver

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 615
  • Liked: 16
  • Likes Given: 2
There's a letter from Neil Armstrong, James Lovell and Eugene Cernan to Chairwoman Mikulski and Ranking Member Shelby coming out shortly.

Make of it what you will when it's published.


Good! I have wondered what they have thought of everything lately.


Offline rcoppola

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2355
  • USA
  • Liked: 1967
  • Likes Given: 970
Prediction: They will come out in full support of the Senate Bill.
Here we go!
Sail the oceans of space and set foot upon new lands!
http://www.stormsurgemedia.com

Offline Robotbeat

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39271
  • Minnesota
  • Liked: 25240
  • Likes Given: 12115
Prediction: They will come out in full support of the Senate Bill.
Here we go!
I really, really hope so. That's not the only option, though. I've seen lots of irrationality regarding sticking with Ares I being thrown around in the various hearings, and so until I see their letter, I'm not going to rejoice.
« Last Edit: 07/20/2010 05:54 pm by Robotbeat »
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Offline CessnaDriver

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 615
  • Liked: 16
  • Likes Given: 2
The case still needs to be made though....

We seriously underfund NASA!

A half a penny of federal discretionary spending dollar?
A tiny tiny portion of the federal budget?

http://www.federalbudget.com/chart.gif

Given the tiny amount spent compared to the tens of billions or more congress will authorize in a hearbeat, even during these economic times, it's amazing that there is so much time and argument spent about NASA in Congress.

They could eliminate the NASA budget entirely and it wouldn't change a thing in the big federal spending picture. And that argument goes for doubling the NASA budget too!

Yet NASA assures so much for this nations future, and humanity.

There are those that accept underfunding as a fact of life, that it will never change.

That has been a big mistake in my view.

We do not make our wheels squeek as well as others that get far more funding for questionable returns to the nation.

That needs to change.



Offline Robotbeat

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39271
  • Minnesota
  • Liked: 25240
  • Likes Given: 12115
The case still needs to be made though....

We seriously underfund NASA!

A half a penny of federal discretionary spending dollar?
A tiny tiny portion of the federal budget?

http://www.federalbudget.com/chart.gif

Given the tiny amount spent compared to the tens of billions or more congress will authorize in a hearbeat, even during these economic times, it's amazing that there is so much time and argument spent about NASA in Congress.

They could eliminate the NASA budget entirely and it wouldn't change a thing in the big federal spending picture. And that argument goes for doubling the NASA budget too!

Yet NASA assures so much for this nations future, and humanity.

There are those that accept underfunding as a fact of life, that it will never change.

That has been a big mistake in my view.

We do not make our wheels squeek as well as others that get far more funding for questionable returns to the nation.

That needs to change.
Sure, let's squeak our wheels for more money, but don't hobble NASA by designing the architecture so it can only work with more money! That's sure to lead more and more failure.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. It's foolish to hope for the best and prepare only for the best.
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Offline Jeff Bingham

  • Extreme Veteran
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1592
  • aka "51-D Mascot"
  • Liked: 38
  • Likes Given: 56
Prediction: They will come out in full support of the Senate Bill.
Here we go!

I suspect it'll be more praiseworthy of the process moving forward in general; don't imagine they're inclined to wade into the thick of a debate on details, but stay at the very top level--at least for now.
Offering only my own views and experience as a long-time "Space Cadet."

Offline zerm

  • Hypergolic cartoonist
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1319
    • GWS Books dot com
  • Liked: 34
  • Likes Given: 19
I've always been a cynic so far as the Congress is concerned, but so far this process has done a lot to restore my faith in the checks and balances.


Offline 2552

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 486
  • Liked: 42
  • Likes Given: 522
There's a letter from Neil Armstrong, James Lovell and Eugene Cernan to Chairwoman Mikulski and Ranking Member Shelby coming out shortly.

Make of it what you will when it's published.

Letter is out:
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=31271

Offline Robotbeat

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39271
  • Minnesota
  • Liked: 25240
  • Likes Given: 12115
There's a letter from Neil Armstrong, James Lovell and Eugene Cernan to Chairwoman Mikulski and Ranking Member Shelby coming out shortly.

Make of it what you will when it's published.

Letter is out:
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=31271
Synopsis: They say both the House and Senate bills represent good progress, please fund NASA.
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Offline yg1968

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17267
  • Liked: 7123
  • Likes Given: 3065
There's a letter from Neil Armstrong, James Lovell and Eugene Cernan to Chairwoman Mikulski and Ranking Member Shelby coming out shortly.

Make of it what you will when it's published.

Letter is out:
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=31271
Synopsis: They say both the House and Senate bills represent good progress, please fund NASA.

I am glad that they didn't take sides between the two bills.

Offline rcoppola

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2355
  • USA
  • Liked: 1967
  • Likes Given: 970
Now, is exactly the time to take sides. We are in the final stages of this game.
Sail the oceans of space and set foot upon new lands!
http://www.stormsurgemedia.com

Offline Chris Bergin

Final Reported version of the Senate:
Support NSF via L2 -- Help improve NSF -- Site Rules/Feedback/Updates
**Not a L2 member? Whitelist this forum in your adblocker to support the site and ensure full functionality.**

Offline Robotbeat

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39271
  • Minnesota
  • Liked: 25240
  • Likes Given: 12115
For FY2011 (comparison between old Senate bill and new, in millions)
old vs new:
total budget:19000 and 19000
Exploration: 3990 and 3868
  multipurpose crew vehicle: 1300 and 1120
  SLS: 1900 and 1631
  Exploration tech: 75 and 250 (YES!!! Still a lot less than the Feb 1 at 652, but something can actually be done with $250 million)
  Human Research: 215 and 155
  Commercial cargo: 144 and 300 (also good, new version is almost as much as the $312M in Feb 1st version)
  Commercial crew: 312 and 312
  Robotic Precursor: 44 and 100 (a marked increase)

Space Ops: 5508.5 and 5508.5 (same for both)

Science: 5005.6 and 5005.6 (same for both)

Aeronautics: 804.6 and 929.6
  Aeronautics research: 579.6 and 579.6 (same)
  Space Tech: 225 and 350 (yay! still less than the $572M of Feb 1st, but much better! Finally, investing in the future again!)
 
Education: 145.8 and 145.8 (same)
Cross-agency support: 3111.4 and 3111.4 (same)
Construction/Environmental: 394.3 and 394.3 same
Inspector general: 37 and 37 same


This looks considerably better.
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Offline mr_magoo

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 424
  • Liked: 16
  • Likes Given: 21
Not bad.

Offline simonbp

  • Science Guy
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7138
  • Liked: 314
  • Likes Given: 183
Quote
SEC. 204. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON HUMAN EXPLORATION
 OF SPACE.


(b) ELEMENTS.—The review shall include—

(1) a broad spectrum of participation with representatives of a range of disciplines, backgrounds,
 and generations, including civil, commercial, international, scientific, and national security interests;

(2) input from NASA’s international partner
 discussions and NASA’s Human Exploration Framework Team;

(3) an examination of the relationship of national goals to foundational capabilities, robotic activities, technologies, and missions authorized by this
 Act;

(4) a review and prioritization of scientific, engineering, economic, and social science questions to
 be addressed by human space exploration
to improve
 the overall human condition; and

(5) findings and recommendations for fiscal
 years 2014 through 2023.


This is what we need. Not artificially-constrained "options" like the Aug. Commission, not a giant trade study like ESAS, but a list of actual priorities. Let's hope it is actually that...

Offline Robotbeat

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39271
  • Minnesota
  • Liked: 25240
  • Likes Given: 12115
I've been noticing some glaring errors (i.e. numbers don't all add up) in the old version of the bill, and one or two in the new version of the Senate bill. Seriously, can anyone read or add anymore?
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Offline FinalFrontier

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4490
  • Space Watcher
  • Liked: 1332
  • Likes Given: 173
New version looks good. More money, but not unreasonably so, for commercial, Money allocated for "new orion" BEO vehicle and plenty allocated for SDHLV (in fy 2011).

Constraints are such that expanding beyong a j13  or 140/j24x style rocket would be very hard, Great job Congress on keeping em on a short leash 8)

These numbers should prevent another ares fiasco. And Ares 1 is solidly off the table :D
3-30-2017: The start of a great future
"Live Long and Prosper"

Offline psloss

  • Veteran armchair spectator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17980
  • Liked: 4047
  • Likes Given: 2089
Now, is exactly the time to take sides. We are in the final stages of this game.
Maybe from a time standpoint, but this is where the real work is going on and it's still early in this process; both of these re-authorization bills could still be amended -- the House bill during markup this week and then both bills could be further amended on the floor before they are voted on as a whole by each chamber.  (And before conference.)

Offline Robotbeat

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39271
  • Minnesota
  • Liked: 25240
  • Likes Given: 12115
Senators and their staff cannot count. I compared the original February 1st budget with the old and the new Senate drafts. Here is the results:
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0