Double the Space Budget?, Paul Spudis, Air & Space “More funding would enable more activity, but to do what? As we no longer have a reasonable, near-term strategic goal (and I do not count empty promises of human Mars missions 30 years in the future as such), more money might accelerate progress on some programs, but money alone will never establish a healthy and vigorous space program. What has held […]

Cislunar is the next destination for America in space, Cislunar Space Next (Paul Spudis) “Develop a space transportation system using existing assets to the extent possible, build new reusable vehicles to transit cislunar space, develop lunar resources with the aim of propellant production, emplace staging nodes in LEO (use existing ISS), geosynchronous orbit (GEO), Earth-Moon L-1, low lunar orbit (LLO) and on the lunar surface.” Brochure

NASA Posts Global Exploration Roadmap “NASA is releasing the initial version of a Global Exploration Roadmap (GER) developed by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group. This roadmap is the culmination of work by 12 space agencies, including NASA, during the past year to advance coordinated space exploration. The GER begins with the International Space Station and expands human presence throughout the solar system, leading ultimately to crewed missions to explore […]

Evaluating NASA Technology Road Maps – Public Workshop Series “A National Research Council steering committee and six panels that are advising NASA on innovative technologies for future missions is holding a series of public workshops to review 14 draft NASA technology “road maps” and solicit input from the public, the aerospace community, and policymakers. The study will provide recommendations to NASA to help chart a course for technologies and concepts […]

Keith’s note: This Tweet by @NASA_Technology (NASA office of Chief Technologist) just appeared: “The NRC kicks off review of NASA’s space tech roadmaps. Media Advisory: Future Tech for NASA Missions – Mtg Jan. 26 & 28 http://goo.gl/c2HaW“ Wow. Who knew. No mention was made by NASA until today that this event is happening – and the event is starting tomorrow. You have to wonder why these folks in Bobby Braun’s […]