The Solid Rocket Lobby – and Utah – Have Been Busy in Congress

Draft Letter to NASA in Support of Solid Rocket Motors Circulating on Capitol Hill
“As you know, the final design of the SLS is long overdue. This is perplexing since the parameters for the final design are clearly articulated in the Authorization and Appropriations Acts. The Authorization Act clearly states the SLS “shall be designed from inception as a fully integrated vehicle capable of carrying a total payload of 130 tons or more…” The Appropriations Act reinforced this requirement by stating “the heavy lift launch vehicle system… shall have a lift capability not less than 130 tons.” Both statutory texts were carefully crafted and agreed upon after consultation with rocket propulsion experts who unanimously concluded these design specifications were required to ensure a meaningful spaceflight program. These same experts also determined these legal requirements could only be realistically met through the use of solid rocket motors.”
Keith’s note: this letter is being circulated around Capitol Hill in search of additional signatures. Senate sources link this directly back to the Utah congressional delegation.
Reader note: The following from transcript of video of Senate press gallery statement by Sen. Orrin Hatch after the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 was reported out of committee: “…the Commerce Committee’s bill has established certain requirements which the [Space Launch] System must meet. After speaking with experts in Utah, it is their conclusion that these requirements can only be realistically accomplished by using solid rocket motors.” video – press release