Unaffordable and Unsustainable, NASA’s failing Earth-to-orbit Transportation Strategy |
Unaffordable and Unsustainable, NASA’s failing Earth-to-orbit Transportation Strategy |
Guest_DonPMitchell_* |
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The Space Frontier Foundation has gotten a lot of attention from the mainstream press with their latest Whitepaper.
They advocate a more extensive support fo free enterprise and entrepreneurship in the American space program. They suggest that NASA should no longer be allowed to develop and own new launch vehicles, and that CEV and CLV development should be cancelled. They also advise that NASA rely on Altas 5 and Delta 4 rockets, and transfer more funding to the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program. I cannot find the actual white paper on the SFF website. I don't know if SFF is particularly professional (certainly their gaudy website doesn't look it), but I have to agree with some of their points. |
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Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 220 Joined: 13-October 05 Member No.: 528 ![]() |
I've felt for years that if you really want to see human presence in space get affordable (or at least a lot cheaper) the best way to accomplish that is create a tourism market. Profit is such a great motivator.
I've really been wondering what will happen when the six man Kliper (now the evolved Soyuz) comes into being. I don't see it very likely that the US will permit tourists on the CEV, but I'd put money on the Russians taking paying passengers. Combine the Bigelow inflatable modules with Russian taxi service, and the first orbital 'hotel' is born. If I were a betting man, I'd give this scenario (or something like it) a 50/50 chance of happening in the next 20 years. |
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Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 21st June 2024 - 06:41 PM |
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