clongton - 22/11/2007 5:26 PMThere is also a need to be able to start up a lunar program 5 years after STS shutdown…
Gunther - 22/11/2007 8:21 PMQuoteclongton - 22/11/2007 5:26 PMThere is also a need to be able to start up a lunar program 5 years after STS shutdown…Maybe someone can help me understand this. I thought VSE, and hence a lunar program, started several years ago? What is the 2015 date you are referring to?Let me understand the two apparent options that are frequently referred to, SDLV vs. EELV:SDLV:1) Spend billions now on an SDLV, hiring thousands of new people now to support Ares 1 (or direct) and Orion development, since the shuttle folks are still flying shuttle (this is already happening). Eventually ramp up Ares 1 (or direct) and Orion development once shuttle is terminated, saving a portion of the current shuttle work force to support a future lunar program. 2) Lay off everyone who is hands on supporting the orbiter, because Orion isn’t flying until 2015, and retaining these folks for 5 years is too expensive.3) Start Orion ISS missions in 2015, a 5 year gap.4) Transition the folks developing the SDLV at some future time to develop the lander and habitats in support of a 2020 lunar first mission date.5) Maintain the SDLV launch vehicle(s) in a state of readiness while waiting for the lander to be developed.EELV1) Do not hire 1,000’s of new people to staff up MSFC and the Ares development now.2) Accelerate Orion’s development with the money not spent on SDLV, supporting ISS in 2012, a 2 year gap. Isn’t this what the original contracted schedule supported?3) Transition the Shuttle orbiter folks to support Orion processing & integration on EELV immediately following shuttle termination4) Transition the remaining shuttle people to the lander and habitat development post 2010, thus retaining all current shuttle personal in fruitful employment supporting lunar missions. 5) Start flying lunar missions in 2015.Please help me understand which option saves more jobs while supporting the lunar mission.
Gunther - 22/11/2007 8:21 PM1) Spend billions now on an SDLV, hiring thousands of new people now to support Ares 1 (or direct) and Orion development, since the shuttle folks are still flying shuttle (this is already happening). Eventually ramp up Ares 1 (or direct) and Orion development once shuttle is terminated, saving a portion of the current shuttle work force to support a future lunar program.
Gunther - 22/11/2007 8:21 PM3) Transition the Shuttle orbiter folks to support Orion processing & integration on EELV immediately following shuttle termination
Jim - 22/11/2007 8:37 PMQuoteGunther - 22/11/2007 8:21 PM3) Transition the Shuttle orbiter folks to support Orion processing & integration on EELV immediately following shuttle terminationShuttle people are not needed for EELV's options. Orion is processed by the former ISS workers.Orbiter people are SOL whether it is EELV or SDLV
Jim - 22/11/2007 9:35 PMQuoteGunther - 22/11/2007 8:21 PM1) Spend billions now on an SDLV, hiring thousands of new people now to support Ares 1 (or direct) and Orion development, since the shuttle folks are still flying shuttle (this is already happening). Eventually ramp up Ares 1 (or direct) and Orion development once shuttle is terminated, saving a portion of the current shuttle work force to support a future lunar program. New people are not needed for Ares or Direct
Gunther - 23/11/2007 7:48 AM the new people that Boeing will be hiring to support the US production contract. On the other hand LM has lost a lot of people at Michoud and will loose most of the rest in the next few years.
CFE - 23/11/2007 2:25 AMSo the Orion life support people are coming from ISS rather than Orbiter life support?I would assume that the people who work the Orbiter's OMS would work on the Orion SM propulsion, since the same engine is being used.
Jim - 23/11/2007 5:46 AMQuoteGunther - 23/11/2007 7:48 AM the new people that Boeing will be hiring to support the US production contract. On the other hand LM has lost a lot of people at Michoud and will loose most of the rest in the next few years.Both are done in the same facility, net change in people: zeroAs for people going to MSFC, minor bump