NASA now claims it can launch a manned mission to lunar orbit by 2019
Forgive me if I remain skeptical: NASA is now claiming it will launch a manned mission to lunar orbit by 2019 using its Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket, the program-formerly-called-Constellation.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Forgive me if I remain skeptical: NASA is now claiming it will launch a manned mission to lunar orbit by 2019 using its Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket, the program-formerly-called-Constellation.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Actually they are looking at as early as 2018 (the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 8?).
With John Shannon heading up the team, it is more likely to succeed than the reusable Falcon 9 (complete with powered, precision, vertical landings for all three stages).
duh.
bucks = buck rogers
LM, Boeing, ATK, etc have 3 billion a year of taxpayer money to turn into results, while SpaceX must fund their Falcon 9 reusability efforts out of hard earned profits, which will not be anywhere near that scope of taxpayer money.
If Space X must “fund their Falcon 9 reusability efforts out of hard earned profits” it will be very difficult indeed, as at this point (other than government subsidies) they have none.
NASA sending a Orion(ish) into lunar orbit by 2019 would be doable – if they actually get their act sorted out adn Congress funds them at about the same as projected.
At least it shows NASA feels it needs to show results…
Wait a minutte – this is a 180 degree reversal from Obama’s directive to Bolden that NASA must never sent people BEO. Have the political winds shifted that much?
“Have the political winds shifted that much?”
it is to early to tell, but lets hope so.
“Wait a minutte – this is a 180 degree reversal from Obama’s directive to Bolden that NASA must never sent people BEO. Have the political winds shifted that much?”
There is no such directive. You willfully delude yourself.
> There is no such directive. …
Thats not what Bolden said, and given hes in charge of NASA at the moment, if he got it wrong, Obama might want to give him a call.
;)
Prove it. Show me Bolden’s word’s to that effect.
Sorry, its been a couple years – and I can’t find it. I know I kept a copy on my hard drive, but after a couple hours I can’t find it!! Annoying given I was corresponding with folks on it for a while since it so shocked folks.