Keith’s note: As you can see from these charts taken (out of context) from the 13 July 2010 NASA HEFT presentation “EELV Capacity Analysis”, NASA clearly did quite a bit of comparison and contrast between various existing expendable launch vehicles – foreign and domestic – analyses that did not always include use of a SLS-class heavy launch vehicle. Indeed, one chart is titled “International Partners Have Lots of Capacity”. The […]

Keith’s 16 Sep note: This presentation “Towards Deep Space Exploration: Small Steps versus One Giant Leap” (download) was presented by astronaut Andrew Thomas on 6 September 2011. Inside you will find some interesting stuff regarding the use of existing ISS and Shuttle era plus international and commercial capabilities – all matrixed together allowing us to go to new places. It also mentions problems that occur with the public and Congress […]

NASA Human Exploration Framework Team Industry Affordability Meetings “A few members of HEFT and its designees (Exploration Systems and/or Space Operations Mission Directorate employees) will meet with company representatives individually on October 21 and Nov. 3-5, 2010 and listen to the company inputs. Industry representatives are encouraged to bring hard-copy materials of their input to accompany their discussion/briefing. We will meet with as many companies as possible during the stated […]

NASA Team’s Space Exploration Proposal Aligns with Senate Bill, Space.com In outlining a human asteroid mission that would launch several years past Obama’s 2025 deadline, the HEFT recommended NASA begin work immediately on a space shuttle-derived heavy-lift rocket, skipping the five years of exploratory research Obama proposed. A set of the HEFT’s charts, dated Sept. 2, were posted on the NASA Watch website. “There is no benefit to delaying work” […]

Human Exploration Framework Team (HEFT) DRM Review – Phase 1 Closeout – Steering Council September 2 2010 (download 6.6 mb PDF) “Summary of Phase I – Developed an investment portfolio that strikes a balance of new developments, technology, and operational programs with an eye towards a new way of exploring. – Created a point of departure DRM that is flexible and can evolve over time to support multiple destinations with […]