Both Rocket Fights – and Rocket Flights – Continue
Senate Schism on Russian Rocket Engines Continues, Space Policy Online
“The Senate Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee approved its version of the FY2017 defense appropriations bill today. Few details have been released, but in at least one area — Russian RD-180 rocket engines — the schism between Senate appropriators and authorizers seems destined to continue. The full appropriations committee will mark up the bill on Thursday.”
As rocket wars wage in DC, a cautious move towards competition makes sense
“To ULA’s credit, the company has successfully launched over 100 rockets without incident. But they’ve also been given vast resources to do so. For example, McCain refers to ULA’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) launch capability contract as “$800 million to do nothing.” That’s not exactly fair since the contract gives the Air Force tremendous launch flexibility, but $800 million a year to effectively be ready to launch seems tremendously generous.”
SpaceX is about to attempt another extremely difficult landing, Business Insider
“SpaceX will once again attempt to land the first stage of the rocket on a drone ship in the Atlantic. SpaceX’s track record for launches has been nearly flawless this year, with four successful launches and three successful landings (and retrievals!) of the first stage of the rockets. One of those successes took place on land in December; two more happened in April and May at sea. SpaceX will once again attempt to land the first stage of the rocket on a drone ship in the Atlantic.”
Hi Keith can you please include Loren Thompson op-ed from Forbescom Banning Russian Rocket Engines Will Increase Costs And Risks.Include it in Both Rocket Fights and Rocket Flights Continue front page article. I appreciate very much and Thank you again.
The spin on the ULA side is very strong. Yes they have an impressive track record, but they’ve just recently had a “close call” where the RD-180 shut down early on Atlas V (luckily the Centaur upper stage was able to make up the performance shortfall of the first stage). They’ve also been distinctly lacking in any innovation over the life of the EELV program. Absent any outside competition, ULA has been a shining example of a “cash cow” operation for its parent companies.