Going Nowhere and Everywhere

Destinations in Rhetoric, Eric Sterner, Space News
“The Administrator attempted to put a finer point on the administration’s purposes during his Congressional testimony in March, asserting that Mars was the ultimate goal. But, his comments came largely in response to continued Congressional prodding and still were not reflected in the prepared budget material. As such, they had the feel of someone throwing out destinations in order to fend off pointed political attacks. It was not clear that they reflected anything more than the Administrator’s personal preference.”
Next Steps for the 2011 NASA Budget Proposal, Planetary Society
“The administration continues to do a poor job of making a case for the new program. President Obama’s proclamation that more American astronauts will fly to the space station and Earth orbit in the next decade under this new plan does not seem to be understood by many in Congress and in the media. The goal of sending humans into the solar system, and landing on an asteroid by 2025, has aroused some interest and even excitement, but the steps to reach this goal also have not been communicated effectively. The administration sorely needs a spokesperson for the new plan who can clarify the message and inspire public and Congressional support.”
The importance of risk for Nasa, Esther Dyson, LiveMint
“Obama did not, however, define the goals tightly, leaving that to Nasa–a sensible and modest approach, but a political mistake. It is never a good idea to replace something with vagueness. Politicians and lobbyists who care only about this year’s jobs and next year’s votes jumped all over this lack of a plan.”