Congress supports the VSE

[wvbraun]

Link<br /><br />Well, this is not perfect (for example I don't like the provision to keep the Shuttle flying until the CEV is ready or calls for a more extensive ISS research program) but overall I think the US congress is supportive of the VSE. This is a far cry from their reaction to the Space Exploration Initiative (1989-1993) which never got off the ground. <br /><br />This is very encouraging. If a NASA Authorization bill is signed into law this year this will make it very hard for any incoming administration to kill the VSE in 2009...<br /><br /><br /><i>The authorization bill also would set spending limits for NASA programs for the next five years. The limits are used by congressional appropriators as guidelines during the annual budget process.<br /><br />The legislation authorizes spending for NASA between 2006 and 2010 that is slightly more than the amount Bush requested. The bill authorizes $16.5 billion in 2006, moving up to $18.5 billion in 2010. Bush requested $16.4 billion in 2006, moving up to $18 billion in 2010.<br /><br />Last week, the House approved its version of the NASA appropriations bill, giving the agency approximately $16.5 billion for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.<br /><br />Senate appropriators have approved a NASA budget slightly below the level approved by the House. The two bills must be reconciled before a final vote is taken.<br /><br />The Senate authorization bill also directs NASA to begin preparations for a Hubble servicing mission using one of the shuttles.</i><br />

 

[gladiator1332]

I can't say I agree with keeping the shuttle around as well, but hopefully its use will be limited, maybe as a backup to the CEV. The CEV is going to be brand new and relatively unproven, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to have the shuttle still available as a backup to the CEV, god forbid something should happen. <br /><br />Did I actually read that correctly, Congress is actually saying NASA isn't getting enough funding? This really is a good sign and shows that for once, NASA and COngress are serious about doing something. For once they are going full speed ahead.

 

[vt_hokie]

That's good news. I think the talk of manned missions to Mars is rather premature, but a return to the moon is a realistic and long overdue goal imho. I hope that before the space shuttle is retired, they do at least get the space station to U.S. core complete status (basically, finish the truss structures and solar arrays, and add Node 2), and also add the European and Japanese lab modules. I'm also hopeful that the final Hubble servicing mission will be performed. And after spending what we have on ISS, hopefully we will get some utilization out of it while the lunar program progresses!

 

[lunatic133]

That's good news and I hope the authorization bill gets passed. My main fear for VSE is that when a new president is elected in 2008, they're likely to not be as supportive as Bush, especially since the next president will most likely be democrat with Bush's approval ratings the way they are. If it's Hillary, our best hope is that she'll be a little more friendly to our cause than her husband, although that is a rather vain hope. But if the appropriations bill is passed, then maybe she (or whoever else is in office) will not be able to kill it so easily.

 

[botch]

I can't be certain, but I think the ISS's orbital inclination means that it can't be used as a place to organise lunar hardware.

 

[nacnud]

The impact of the inclination of the ISS on ISS to Luna trajectories is minor, a plane change can occur at high altitude without the need for a lot of velocity change. However there are less launch windows from a high inclination orbit.<br /><br />The problem is getting from the Earths surface to the high inclination if the ISS, but that hasn't been a showstopper yet.<br />

 

[botch]

I must have heard wrong then. Still, I doubt that the VSE is going to include the use of the ISS because of the payload sacrifice involved.<br />I'm actually suprised that congress has given the extra money, even if it's just a marginal increase. How easy is it for a subsequent administration to shoot the VSE down?

 

[wvbraun]

That all depends on how much progress has been made on VSE-related projects by then. I doubt the CEV will be cancelled by any administration but maybe the development of (other) lunar hardware will be "put on hold".

 

[lunatio_gordin]

who was it that said we should start a sicence party so long ago? that's starting to seem better and better.

 

[kdavis007]

Good...

 

[bobvanx]

I'd go to a science party. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I keep writing to my Democratic leaders and letting them know that I prefer science and tech spending for space over military spending, and that scientists and engineers are part of their constituent base. <br /><br />We really need to get space spending de-politicised. Educate your elected officials (of all stripes) about the benefits of being a space-based culture!

 

[lunatio_gordin]

Good, we'll get on the 06 congressional ballots and make a run for the white house in 08 <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" />