[X] My Assistant

[Drkskywxlt]

Since the VSE came out a few years back, I've seen occasional references to the need of having precursor missions to Mars seperate from the robotic exploration program to test such technology as in-situ resource utilization, long term radiation levels, etc. Has anyone heard any more concrete plans for such missions? I've not yet seen anything in NASAs budget that seems to be working in that direction (besides some Earth-based research).

[Phil Stooke]

"Of course, the whole VSE could be cancelled if an anti-space politician gets in office in 08."

People do say this, but you have to wonder what would replace it. No president is likely to abandon human space flight altogether - or certainly no Congress to approve cancellation. Even Nixon couldn't quite bring himself to do it. And costly as it is, it's such a small fraction of the federal budget that cancelling it outright doesn't achieve very much. So what's left? The status quo doesn't satisfy anybody. I think the Vision might be modified, but it's not likely to be seriously threatened.

Phil

[Drkskywxlt]

"Of course, the whole VSE could be cancelled if an anti-space politician gets in office in 08."

People do say this, but you have to wonder what would replace it. No president is likely to abandon human space flight altogether - or certainly no Congress to approve cancellation. Even Nixon couldn't quite bring himself to do it. And costly as it is, it's such a small fraction of the federal budget that cancelling it outright doesn't achieve very much. So what's left? The status quo doesn't satisfy anybody. I think the Vision might be modified, but it's not likely to be seriously threatened.

Phil

What I think could happen is that the VSE has the goal dates for a Moon landing removed and forces NASA to turn the Orion into an ISS transport with nebulous possibilities for future travel to the Moon and Mars. This hypothetical politician would say, "Why waste the ISS after spending upteen billions to construct it?. Let's get all the good science (all scientists roll eyes) out of it we can and not abandon it to a complicated, costly Moon project."

As for the budget benefits of cancelling it, NASA always seems to come under the gun for cuts because their programs have such high-visibility among Congress and the public. This high-visibility is a strength and liability for those in favor of sustainable NASA funding.