Posted by Ray Katz in NASA, current
Battle over NASA’s future
As 2010 begins, the future of NASA—especially its manned flight program—is a big question mark.
The Augustine Commission, composed largely of people connected to the biggest aerospace companies, have provided some options for President Obama to consider. They have also cast doubt on the new Ares launcher–which NASA has been developing for future manned missions. Instead, they prefer that Ares be scrapped in favor of (currently NOT man-rated) launchers produced by companies associated with members of the commission.
Alabama Senator Richard Shelby challenged the Augustine Commission. What next?
This possible conflict of interest irritated Senator Shelby, who has called for an investigation of the Augustine Commission.
NASA’s new administrator Bolden met with the President, with no real outcome reported.
In the meantime, Congress has funded the Ares moon rocket (although it killed the less-powerful Ares-1) and has tried to make cancellation of Ares difficult for the president.
What will happen next, nobody knows. But presumably things will become clearer during 2010. They certainly couldn’t become more confusing.
