Aeronautics: Hurry Up and Wait
NASA Advisory Council Aeronautics Research Advisory Committee Meetings Cancelled
“Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, September 21, 2005, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday, September 19, 2005, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, September 14, 2005, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, September 8, 2005, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. These meetings will be rescheduled.”
Internal NASA Memo Regarding Upcoming Aeronautics Workshops
“I apologize for the quick timeline. It is my goal to present a solid plan to both OMB and Congress as quickly as possible, and I need your help in pulling a plan together that is technically sound. It is very challenging to define a long-term plan that is sufficiently dynamic that it allows for adaptation as we learn new things, and that at the same time defines concrete milestones that are technically meaningful and credible.”
“As we move forward, a broader national dialog on aeronautics R&D goals may be appropriate as we enter the second century of aviation. These discussions should include a range of stakeholders and customers, including the Congress. This process could lead to a national consensus for aeronautics R&D goals.”
Short Summary of H.R. 3070 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 [passed on 22 Jul 2005]
“The bill requires the President, through the Administrator to develop a national aeronautics policy to guide NASA’s aeronautics programs. The report is due with the President’s FY 2007 budget request.”
Editor’s note: Gee, Didn’t Mike Griffin say that he wanted to come up with an aeronautics plan months ago? Didn’t the agency get a heads up from H.R. 3070 that such a plan needed to be developed ASAP? Why is there now such a ‘quick timeline’ to work on this plan according to Lisa Porter? FY 2007 budget preparation work should now be underway. Wouldn’t you want to have that plan in final form so as to guide that work – instead of having the plan being developed in parallel – as is now the case?
