GAO: NASA RDT&E Launch Funding Outpaces DOD
Defense and Civilian Agencies Request Significant Funding for Launch-Related Activities
“In contrast to procurement, the agencies indicate that together their need for RDT&E funding will decrease during the same period. NASA’s expected RDT&E launch funding requirements outpace DOD’s, with the agency planning to spend about $10.5 billion for launch-related development from fiscal years 2014 through 2018. Of that amount, NASA anticipates the need for approximately $7 billion for the development of its own deep space launch vehicle known as the Space Launch System, and the associated ground systems, to support human deep space exploration.”
Sweet Mother of Pearl – we knew this was coming… but its bad – real bad. We will have nothing to show for this. We cannot afford it.
SLS is simply NOT affordable and only Congress can correct this.