Former NASA Managers Call for More Spending Despite Crunch, Space News “Among those who spoke at the von Braun symposium was one of Constellation’s chief architects, former NASA Administrator Michael Griffin. Griffin, who ran NASA from 2005 to 2009, scoffed at the idea that NASA is operating in a budget-constrained environment. “We are in a willpower-constrained environment,” said Griffin, who is now the Huntsville-based chairman and chief executive of science […]

Keith’s note: A farewell reception was held at NASA Headquarters on Thursday for NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver. In addition to the long list of thank yous to staff and friends, Garver had some parting observations and recollections to share. Garver said that she had three personal objectives while at NASA: “to try and align NASA with national objectives; to provide value to taxpayers; and to try and be a […]

Can lightning strike twice for RLVs?, The Space Review “In a speech the following day at the conference, [Mike] Griffin said that X-vehicles in general can do several key things essential in aerospace development, including proving out technologies before getting locked into vehicle configurations, determining what the requirements should be for future vehicles, and demonstrating systems engineering. He lamented, though, the lack of X-vehicle development today. “It is a lapse […]

Former NASA administrator Mike Griffin throws cold water on commercial space market, then offers solution, Huntsville Times “Griffin, a persistent critic of President Obama’s space program, said the current system consists of companies such as SpaceX operating with “government as their venture capitalist.” For NASA Administrator, This Mission Is a Tad Personal, Washington Post (2009) “Griffin’s press secretary, David Mould, told the Associated Press that Griffin isn’t campaigning and expects […]

Obama failed space program; Romney would revitalize it, opinon, Gene Cernan, Orlando Sentinel “Frankly, the world’s leading space-faring nation shouldn’t have to pay Russia for rides to the International Space Station. That’s not only an insult to the hundreds of women and men like me who have built a legacy based on, literally, reaching for the stars, but it also hurts the local economy and puts local jobs at risk […]

Romney Taunts Chinese Moon Landing Plans, TPM (with video) “On the campaign trail in Florida – home of the Space Coast – Monday, Romney taunted Chinese plans to land an unmanned probe on the on the moon in 2013. Romney: “This is still the greatest nation on earth. I know there are people around the world who are always critical of America, have something negative to say, say our greatest […]

Futron Releases 2012 Space Competitiveness Index, SpaceRef.biz “Futron has released its 2012 Space Competitiveness Index marking the 5th anniversary of the yearly publication. According to the report, the United States remains the overall leader in space competitiveness but is seeing a decline for the 5th year in a row.” Ex-NASA boss defends GW Bush “vision” (again…), Doctorlinda (Linda Billings) “Griffin told the committee that he’s grown “tired” of pronouncements that […]

AIAA to Hold Capitol Hill Dialogue on Deep Space Exploration “The panel … will be moderated by Dr. Scott Pace, director, Space Policy Institute, The George Washington University. … ” AIAA President Mike Griffin stated, “Human history is the story of societies expanding the frontiers of their time, exploiting and consolidating their gains on those frontiers, and moving on again. That history is not written by or about the people […]

NASA rebuts Cuyahoga County GOP claim of pending cuts at Cleveland’s Glenn Research Center “The Republican group’s news release also cited former NASA administrator Mike Griffin as a source on the layoffs. “The fact that the Obama administration is seriously considering moving human space flight work out of Glenn is deeply troubling,” Griffin is quoted as saying. “To eliminate Glenn’s role in human space flight is to call into question […]

Will Mitt Romney Fire Space Advisor Michael Griffin For Proposing Permanent Moon Base?, BarackObama.com “While speaking to Global Space Exploration Conference in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, Romney Space Advisor Michael Griffin renewed his calls for a “permanent base on the moon.” Given Romney’s promise to fire anyone who proposed putting a colony on the moon, will Romney keep his promise by firing Griffin?” Keith’s note: Mr. Romney has said next […]