NASA’s future – Commercial, Constellation or Russia?

[marsavian]

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_space_thewritestuff/2009/11/nasas-future-commercial-constellation-or-russia-.html

At the end of the hearing – view a list of participants here – another suggestion popped up that would keep Ares I and re-use its upper stage by refueling it in orbit. It was briefly discussed in this editorial: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/files/real-options.doc

Whether there is an appetite for another option is another question, as many members of the audience wandered off when the plan was presented by Doug Stanley, who was one of the original team members who selected Constellation back in 2005.

An administration official said this after hearing of the prospect of continuing to develop Ares I for a dual launch exploration system: "Great. Our fifth U.S. medium launch vehicle ..."

However, there are whispers that the administration is exploring plans outside options presented by the Augustine committee, although it is unclear as to what they could include.

[alexterrell]

If America turns it's back on HLV and Constellation altogether, then Ares I/V is very much to blame. If a SDHLV had been started 4 years ago it would probably be flying now.

[alexSA]

However, there are whispers that the administration is exploring plans outside options presented by the Augustine committee, although it is unclear as to what they could include.

I am not sure who is whispering. But one thing is clear (and Augustine acknowledged that), it's not going to be one of the options in the report that will be chosen.

The report is interesting because:
A. it says the current Cx plan is not funded correctly and as a consequence is not on schedule or executable (we didn't really know that officially before the summer)
B. it includes a clear recommendation for ISS to 2020+
C. it outlines that an STS extension to 2015 is the only available option that reduces the gap significantly
D. it says that there are alternative HLV launch vehicles and that the minimum mass required to launch in one piece is about 40-50mt
E. it outlines that the Moon doesn't necessarily have to be the only destination in the next 20-25 years