What can we do to support DIRECT (Augustine 5D) NOW

[Von]

Hello,

First for the moderators:  I see this thread as distinct from the other dedicated DIRECT threads - which focus on making the case for the SDHLV / DIRECT solution to the human spaceflight quagmire we are in.

I have been following all of this closely for some time now,  and as far as I am concerned the case has already been made:

The DIRECT / SDHLV (or, Augustine Option 5D) is the only answer that makes any rational sense.

The political, economic, and technical issues continue to be debated around in circles endlessly ... and in the meantime the clock is ticking while the factions quarrel among each other.

Something needs to be done by ordinary citizens (ie. not politicians and rocket scientists) to show support for common sense and rationality before it's too late.  I will be glad to detail the reasons why I am so convinced and heartfelt about this as the thread progresses.   

But for now understand that I clearly see that not only the future of the US space program, and thousands of jobs are dependent on this, but possibly the future of our species is at stake by failing to seize this moment.

Question:

Yes we can "write our congressmen and the president".  But in this day in age these cliches seem quaint and a tiny drop in the bucket:  against the billions of dollars at stake,  the entrenched conceits of elected officials protecting their interests, and the engineers and scientists ferociously protecting their contracts and grants ... all of which only fuel the scientific ignorance and confusion of the general public.

Online campaigns, viral campaigns, protests.  Does DIRECT have any organized public outreach campaigns in place in the coming months?

So I open this thread up to those who wish to participate.  Please.  What more can be done before it's too late.

.

[MarsInMyLifetime]

Could someone list the sites and articles that best describe the DIRECT  vision? I don't feel up to the apologist's role in the debate, but all of us can  certainly try to include those links where we can when posting to the  web, and thus do our part to help drive up search rankings.

[Von]

Could someone list the sites and articles that best describe the DIRECT  vision? I don't feel up to the apologist's role in the debate, but all of us can  certainly try to include those links where we can when posting to the  web, and thus do our part to help drive up search rankings.

Sure I'd be glad to.  Here are some of the links that I've found that most powerfully state the case.   

Please feel free to add to this list if there are any more powerful (not overly technical, not overly confusing) links about DIRECT and it's solution to what we are facing.

--
DIRECT Project Main Site
http://www.directlauncher.com/

- This overviews the project well, gives the base rationale and has some great flash animations of the overall concept

--
DIRECT Shuttle Transformation Video


- Here is a link to YouTube to see the flash animation transformation video from Shuttle to HLV 

--
DIRECT Augustine Video


- Nice flash compilation showcasing some quotes from the Augustine commission, regarding the DIRECT program and Shuttle Derived Heavy Launch Vehicles (SDHLV)

Note: I'm not sure why this presentation refers to Augustine Option 4B rather than 5C

--
DIRECT:  'A Better Plan' - by Stephen Metschan
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1571/1

- A member of the DIRECT public team outlines the case very well   He doesn't quite outline the nature of the DIRECT program until the end because he spends a lot of time covering the problems with the current quagmire first ... so it's bit of a long read, but absolutely worth it.   He ultimately makes the case well in my opinion.

--
Augustine Recommendations Overview
 http://www.launchcomplexmodels.com/Direct/media/flash/ag_options/index.html

- This Flash animation visually illustrates the options for NASA priorities the Augustine Commission settled on.   

Please note here option 5D:

Augustine Option 5D is the only option outlined that can satisfies all the requirements (political, economic, technical) to keep the US presence in space - with any real useful, safe, reliable, and affordable capacity into the future - relatively un-interrupted.

Again, please feel free to add any quality links to this list

.