posted 07-28-2010 07:02 PM               

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a NASA authorization bill as early as July 29 that would set funding levels and provide policy guidance to the space agency over the next three years, according to House aides...

Congressional aides said the measure is expected to be brought to the House floor under a suspension of the rules, a procedural move that limits amendments to a bill during floor debate but which requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass. Senior Democratic and Republican members of the House Science and Technology Committee, which drafted the bill, have met with House leaders to discuss the bill, according to a House aide, who said the members were "reasonably confident" of obtaining the two-thirds majority vote needed to pass it.

...The Senate bill has yet to see floor action, but if the House measure is approved, it would provide guidance to House appropriators as they move forward with a 2011 spending package for NASA this fall. That measure is most likely to come in the form of a continuing resolution in late September or early October that would fund NASA at 2010 spending levels until a comprehensive 2011 appropriation is approved.

posted 07-30-2010 10:19 AM               

A controversial House NASA authorization bill that appeared headed for a floor vote July 30 has stalled, and it appears unlikely the measure will be taken up before lawmakers leave town for a six-week summer break that begins Aug. 2...

With little time remaining in the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30, House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) sought to bring the measure to the House floor under suspension of the rules -- a move that prevents amendments to a bill and requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass. But Gordon encountered resistance from House members hoping to weigh in on the measure during floor debate...

Further complicating the bill’s path to the floor, the House Science and Technology Committee made some last-minute changes to H.R. 5781.

The bill previously created federally backed loan guarantees for companies developing commercial crewed vehicles, but the committee dropped that provision after the Congressional Budget Office raised questions about the long-term cost program. In place of the loan guarantees, the committee added a $300 million grant program aimed at fostering commercial crewed systems, according to a July 28 copy of the suspension bill obtained by Space News.

In addition, the modified bill would prohibit NASA from laying off civil servants for at least six months following the bill’s enactment.

posted 08-05-2010 09:41 PM               

Senate Approves Bill Championed by Senator Hutchison to Preserve America's Human Spaceflight Capabilities

The Senate today approved bipartisan legislation championed by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, to safeguard America's human spaceflight capabilities while balancing commercial space investment with a robust mission for NASA.

The bill is also supported by Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), David Vitter (R-La.) and George LeMieux (R-Fla.).

"Senate passage of this comprehensive legislation is a critical milestone that will boost America's human spaceflight program," said Senator Hutchison. "By embracing this bipartisan vision for the future of NASA, the Senate has spoken with a unified voice. I encourage my colleagues in the House to take up this crucial bill in order to get NASA on track to continue its proud heritage of innovation and exploration."

posted 08-07-2010 12:02 PM               

The legislation calls for the launch of another shuttle flight in June 2011, at the earliest. NASA's official shuttle manifest now includes two more missions launching in November and February.

The extra flight, designated STS-135, would keep much of the shuttle workforce in place for another year and resupply the International Space Station.

Under the Senate authorization bill, NASA would also begin developing a new heavy-duty booster this year for human missions to asteroids and Mars. The legislation directs NASA to use existing contracts, workers and capabilities from the space shuttle and Constellation programs, including the Orion and Ares 1 vehicles.

The heavy-lift rocket should be ready for orbital missions by the end of 2016, according to the Senate. The authorization act budgets more than $11 billion through 2013 for the government-owned launch vehicle and capsule.

posted 08-07-2010 05:22 PM               

The problem is there may not be enough time between now and the start of the 2011 fiscal year for the authorization to be passed into law, and for the Appropriations Committees in each house to provide the funding.

posted 08-16-2010 10:04 AM               

Senate legislation authorizing $58 billion for NASA over the next three years directs the agency to build a heavy-lift rocket that bears a strong resemblance to the Ares 5 launcher that U.S. President Barack Obama seeks to abandon.

In a report accompanying the S. 3729 issued a few days later, Senate lawmakers state that regarding the heavy-lift rocket, "the most cost-effective and 'evolvable' design concept is likely to follow what is known as an 'in-line' vehicle design, with a large center tank structure with attached multiple liquid propulsion engines and, at a minimum, two solid rocket motors composed of at least four segments being attached to the tank structure to form the core, initial stage of the propulsion vehicle."

The report notes that the committee "will closely monitor NASA's early planning and design efforts to ensure compliance with the intent of this section" of the bill.

posted 08-16-2010 09:32 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
This raises the question: should Congress be legislating engineering and design decisions?

---

1. Simplifying requirements on Orion by building a less robust, stripped down vehicle than originally envisioned to fill a role which did not need to be filled.

2. Simplifying requirements on the outsourced contractors by eliminating the need for their vehicles to remain on orbit for six months or more.

I don't think the folks on the committee are really telling NASA how to design the vehicle, but rather they are clarifying exactly what they want built. I put these two passages from the article together:

Senate lawmakers state that regarding the heavy-lift rocket, "the most cost-effective and 'evolvable' design concept is likely to follow what is known an in-line..."

The report notes that the committee "will closely monitor NASA's early planning and design efforts to ensure compliance with the intent of this section" of the bill.

posted 08-25-2010 04:55 PM               

Consider how many space initiatives the United States didn't pursue in the past half century. A fully reusable launch vehicle. A 20-person expendable space station. New heavy lift boosters. A permanent lunar colony. The Orbital Space Plane. NERVA and Prometheus. An outpost on Mars. In fact, there have been more false starts and failed approaches than those that worked. By setting budget limits, the hand of the Congress can be seen in all of these programs, but the "failure to launch" can be squarely placed on the Defense Department, the Air Force, and of course NASA.

posted 09-01-2010 10:13 AM               

Fourteen Nobel laureates have signed a letter supporting President Obama's proposed strategy for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and criticizing a NASA authorization bill under consideration in the House of Representatives.

The House bill, the writers said, would leave "substantially underfunded" the areas of technology development, commercial spaceflight, robotic missions, and university and student research...

The signers included David Baltimore of the California Institute of Technology, a winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1975; Baruch S. Blumberg, a former director of the NASA Astrobiology Institute and a winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1976; Douglas D. Osheroff of Stanford, a member of the board that investigated the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and a winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1996; and Frank Wilczek of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2004. Some former NASA officials and seven former astronauts also signed the letter.

G. Scott Hubbard, who was director of NASA's Ames Research Center, said he and John M. Logsdon, former director of the Space Policy Institute of George Washington University, came up with the idea for the letter.

posted 09-28-2010 05:59 PM               

Chairman Gordon Statement on House Consideration of NASA Reauthorization

Today, Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following statement:

"I anticipate that the House will consider the Senate version of the NASA reauthorization on Wednesday. I still believe that the bipartisan Compromise language we released is a better approach. I have a number of concerns with the Senate bill, including:

• The Senate bill includes an unfunded mandate to keep the Shuttle program going through the remainder of FY 2011, even after the Shuttle is retired, at a cost of $500 million or more without clarifying where the funds will come from, all but ensuring that other important NASA programs will be cannibalized.

• I am concerned that the Senate bill is overly prescriptive for the design of the follow-on rocket. The end result is the Senate trying to design a rocket for NASA, while being silent on the safety of the vehicle. The compromise language lets NASA determine the best approach in the design of the follow-on human spaceflight and exploration program.

• The compromise language ensures access to the ISS and minimizes the human spaceflight transportation 'gap' that will exist after the Shuttle is retired. The Senate bill does not provide a timetable for a government backup capability, which could make NASA's access to space completely dependent on commercial providers. I am hopeful the commercial providers will be successful, but, whereas they have missed contractual cargo milestones thus far, I am wary of being completely dependent on them, because if they fail, we will be dependent on the Russians for longer than absolutely necessary.

It has become clear that there is not time remaining to pass a Compromise bill through the House and the Senate. For the sake of providing certainty, stability, and clarity to the NASA workforce and larger space community, I felt it was better to consider a flawed bill than no bill at all as the new fiscal year begins. I will continue to advocate to the Appropriators for the provisions in the Compromise language."

posted 09-29-2010 10:56 AM               

NASA Administrator Calls Congressional Vote An Important Step Forward In Space Exploration

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden issued the following statement:

"Today, a historic vote will occur in the House of Representatives on a comprehensive NASA authorization bill that is expected to chart the future course of human space flight for years to come. I am hopeful that S. 3729 -- the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010-- will receive strong support in the House and be sent onto the President for his signature.

"Earlier this year, President Obama laid out an ambitious new plan for NASA - one that helps blaze a new trail of innovation and discovery. His plan would invest more in NASA; extend the life of the International space station; launch a commercial space transportation industry; foster the development of path-breaking technologies; help create thousands of new jobs; and embark on a fundamentally more ambitious strategy to expand our frontiers in space.

"Passage of this bill represents an important step forward towards helping us achieve key goals the President has laid out. If passed, the bill would help put the U.S. space program on a more sustainable trajectory and inspire a new generation of Americans to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This important change in direction will not only help us chart a new path in space, but can help us retool for the industries and jobs of the future that will be vital for long term economic growth. NASA appreciates all of the hard work and effort that has gone into advancing this legislation.

"I also salute our dedicated employees for continuing their good work and keeping their eyes on the prize during these important deliberations. Our workforce has proven time and again that it can meet any challenge. Congress and the President are once again calling on us to step up and move this nation forward in space exploration.

"NASA is grateful for the longstanding, bipartisan support that it receives from the Congress. There is still a lot of work ahead, especially as the 2011 appropriations process moves forward, but the continuing support for NASA ensures America's space program will remain at the forefront of pioneering new frontiers in science, technology, and exploration."

posted 09-29-2010 08:09 PM               

• Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Texas): "I see no realistic choice but to take the Senate bill... preferable to taking no action at all."

• Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) rises in reluctant support of S.3729. "We are saving jobs."

• Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas): "Our partnership produced a great piece of legislation... I believed then and I believe now that our bill was the right approach..." but we're running out of time. Without authorization bill, we would see the continued dismantling of the space program.

• Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Florida): "I stand in full support of this bill."

• Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-California): This bill "moves us toward entrepreneurial, cost-effective alternatives... stimulates commercial sector... this bill is a workable compromise."

• Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas): "If this bill fails today, it will profoundly undermine our space program. We may lose the opportunity to keep NASA."

• Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) rises in support of S.3729, which requires NASA to refurbish ET-94 -- work for New Orleans' Michoud facility.

• Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas): "I believe that NASA has the unique ability to touch the imagination of children like no other agency, but when money is short, we must adjust, not stop... A strong NASA is important to the national and Texas economies."

• Rep. John Culbertson (R-Texas): "Let me make this clear, why we're working [on this bill]... to stop the administration from shutting down the manned space program."

• Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-Florida): "This legislation will define NASA's future by building upon its past."

• Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Arizona): "I rise in strong opposition of S.3729... I have no reluctance to tell you this is a bad bill... The Senate bill forces NASA to build a [heavy-lift] rocket that doesn't meet its needs with an insufficient budget." Objects to "would be" commercial crew that "will become too big to fail."

• Rep. John Culbertson (R-Texas): If we don't pass this bill "by the end of the year there will be no manned space program."

• Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California): "I urge my colleagues to support this bill."

• Rep. Al Green (D-Texas): "This bill is about... jobs and families that will benefit from having stability in the family unit... I must now stand for what is obtainable, we need to go after the jobs in this bill... Let's keep Americans working."

• Rep. Bill Posey (R-Florida): "Without the passage of this legislation" we will yield the high ground to nations not friendly to us.

• Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Texas): "I could vote for either of these bills, I'm not in love with either of these bills... I like both of them and we have to have one of them go today."

posted 09-29-2010 09:34 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fezman92:
So that means a yes on STS-135 right?

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posted 09-29-2010 10:07 PM               

Authorization laws have two basic purposes. They establish, continue, or modify federal programs, and they are a prerequisite under House and Senate rules (and sometimes under statute) for the Congress to appropriate budget authority for programs.

posted 09-29-2010 10:41 PM               

House Science and Technology Committee release

Senate NASA Authorization Approved by the House

This evening, the House of Representatives approved S. 3729, the Senate-passed reauthorization of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) by a vote of 304-118. Following the vote, Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Science and Technology Committee, released the following statement:

"While I am not completely satisfied with the Senate bill, I am very pleased it passed... Congress is obligated to provide clear policy direction to NASA to keep vital agency programs funded and on track. While I preferred the compromise language offered by Chairman Gordon, I am pleased that we were at least able to pass a bill.

"This Administration's misguided plan for human spaceflight would put NASA on a dangerous and unproven path. It is essential for Congress to weigh-in and pass a bill to counter these policy objectives; otherwise we would essentially be rubberstamping the White House plan.

"S. 3729 keeps important programs funded, directs NASA to develop a multipurpose crew vehicle and a new heavy-lift launch system, and allows commercial space companies to prove their capabilities. Without a bill, the jobs of a world class NASA workforce and thousands of highly-skilled private contractors who support human space flight would have been lost."

House Approves Senate Version of the NASA Reauthorization

The House of Representatives approved S. 3729, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010, with bipartisan support by a vote of 304 to 118.

Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following statement:

"I see today's floor consideration to be only one more step in crafting a sustainable, affordable, and productive future path for NASA, and to ensuring stability and clarity to the NASA workforce and larger space community. To that end, I plan to continue to advocate to the Appropriators for the provisions in the Compromise language we released last week. I believe that the Compromise language provides a solid basis for NASA's future activities.

It has been a difficult year for NASA and its civil servants and contractor workforce. We are in tough economic times, and sacrifices will have to be made. However, NASA is an investment in our future, and in the future of our children. The United States has been a global leader in space exploration and technology and innovation, and our efforts over the remainder of this Congress should be aimed at preserving that leadership position."

posted 09-29-2010 10:51 PM               

We may see Atlantis fly one last time, if it is determined that it can be done safely, and by definition shortening the gap in U.S. transportation to space.

ISS will continue to operate much longer than originally anticipated, and thereby maximize the scientific return from this enormous investment.

The privateers get a little boost, but are not solely relied upon, and will be closely monitored for performance and safety before we allow astronauts to fly on them. I believe that the arrogance that some of these entrepreneurs display will be tempered somewhat along the way.

As far as the new HLV being "designed by committee", I don't think there will ever be a vehicle of this magnitude that wouldn't be. Politicians want to be re-elected. Their constituents want jobs. If the requirements laid out by this legislation keeps smart people working and creates more work for even more people, everybody's happy. Under the now-debunked proposal, those people would be working at McDonalds for at least the next five years.

If it is a safe vehicle and gets the job accomplished of moving off of this planet, I don't care if it looks like Ares V, a Saturn V, or a big green pickle. Build it. Use it. Leave.

posted 09-30-2010 12:47 AM               

NASA Administrator Thanks Congress for 2010 Authorization Act Support

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden regarding Wednesday's action by the House of Representatives on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010.

"We thank the Congress for their thoughtful deliberations about NASA's future over the past months. Both the House and the Senate provided insight, ideas and direction that were truly exemplary of the democratic process. It is clear that our space program inspires passion and dedication across party lines, and for that we are truly thankful.

"This important vote today in the House of Representatives on a comprehensive NASA authorization charts a vital new future for the course of human space exploration. We are grateful that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 received strong support in the House after its clearance in the Senate, and can now be sent on to the President for his signature.

"The President has laid out an ambitious new plan for NASA that pioneers new frontiers of innovation and discovery. The plan invests more in NASA; extends the life of the International Space Station; launches a commercial space transportation industry; fosters the development of path-breaking technologies; and helps create thousands of new jobs. Passage of this bill represents an important step forward towards helping us achieve the key goals set by the President.

"This important change in direction will not only help us chart a new path in space, but can help us retool for the industries and jobs of the future that will be vital for long term economic growth.

"NASA appreciates all of the hard work and effort that has gone into advancing this legislation."

posted 09-30-2010 06:55 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by 328KF:
I believe that the arrogance that some of these entrepreneurs display will be tempered somewhat along the way.

---

How about the "arrogance" of the US aerospace establishment who wanted business as usual? Along with certain politicians, ex-NASA astronauts and officials who all wanted the "entrepeneurs" left out of the loop in favour of the status quo.

posted 09-30-2010 08:33 AM               

The resulting Bill is a compromise. No one got everything they wanted, but most everyone got something. It is a somewhat balanced approach, and not the reckless abandonment of this country's aerospace experience that was laid out a few months ago.

It takes away the mandate to further explore the moon, but leaves the option open by providing the means to do so if a future political wind blows in that direction.

I think the privateers are overselling what they are able to deliver. I want them to succeed, and I fully expect that they will, but not without significant delays and failures along the way. One needs only to look at the Virgin Galactic project to see what I am talking about, and Burt Rutan knows alot more about what he is in to than Elon Musk does.

posted 09-30-2010 06:11 PM               

• Space Launch System: NASA is to begin immediately the development of a new heavy-lift (130 tons or more into low-Earth orbit) launch vehicle "in preparation for transit for missions beyond low-Earth orbit." This new booster is to be man-rated and capable of serving as a backup to commercial supply missions to the International Space Station.

  Development of the vehicle must, as practical, use "existing contracts, investments, workforce, industrial base, and capabilities from the space shuttle and Orion and Ares 1 projects."

  A goal for core operational capability is set for no later than December 31, 2016.

• Multi-purpose crew vehicle: Essentially Orion continued, NASA is directed to continue developing what will become the "primary crew vehicle for missions beyond low-Earth orbit" (it should also be able to support the ISS should commercial crew be unable).

  It too should achieve full operational capability by no later than December 31, 2016.

• Launch infrastructure: To support the Space Launch System and multi-purpose crew vehicle, NASA is to proceed with the improvements to the Kennedy Space Center as originally proposed by the Administration.

• Technology demonstrations: Continuing the proposal put forth by the Administration, the bill authorizes technology demonstrations and flagship missions to test "elements of missions beyond low-Earth orbit, in-space capabilities such as refueling and storage technology, orbital transfer stages, innovative in-space propulsion technology, and spacesuit development."

• Commercial crew: NASA is instructed to continue its Commercial Crew Development (CCDEV) program in fiscal year 2011 so long as "the total amount involved for all such contracts and procurement agreements executed during fiscal year 2011 does not exceed $50 million for fiscal year 2011."

  The bill then establishes milestones for NASA to meet beginning 2012 and continuing from thereon, including defining human-rating requirement, establishing a procurement system review and conducting a commercial market assessment.

• International Space Station: As called for by the Administration, U.S. involvement in the space station is extended through at least 2020 and "NASA shall take steps to maximize the productivity and use of the ISS with respect to scientific and technological research and development, advancement of space exploration, and international collaboration."

• Space Shuttle: In support of the space station, NASA will fly an additional space shuttle mission using the resources set aside for the "launch on need" mission supporting STS-134 "in fiscal year 2011, but no earlier than June 1, 2011" (unless required as "launch on need" contingency mission), pending a plan is approved for the safe return of the crew should an emergency arise.

  The space shuttle will then be retired in fiscal year 2011.

The bill does not direct NASA where to send humans first (or second, third, etc.) beyond low-Earth orbit other than generally listing the Moon, near-Earth asteroids and Mars.

It does establish that the "ultimate" goal is international exploration of Mars.

posted 09-30-2010 07:24 PM            

Would it be reasonable to conclude that Ares 1 and Ares V have essentially been combined into a man-rated super-Saturn V-class vehicle which (assuming these plans come to fruition) could send crews of astronauts to lunar orbit within around six years?

If that is correct, the only "missing piece" needed for a lunar landing is a lunar lander. The Apollo LM was fiendishly difficult to design and build mainly (or at least partly) because of the stringent weight limits.

With a vehicle capable of launching 130 tons plus, weight is no longer a problem and a new lander could surely be designed and built using current "off-the-shelf" rocket technology. OK, it's not mentioned in the Senate plan, but lunar landings in the future are not ruled out.

So here is an opportunity for Europe, or Japan or India (or a consortium of one or more) to build a lunar lander to complement the American deep-space architecture. Perhaps the next footprints in the lunar dust will be made by a European, quickly obliterated by the American boots following down the ladder.

posted 10-02-2010 09:57 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Blackarrow:
Curbing my own enthusiasm a little, I assume the capability to launch "130 tons plus" includes the weight of the Earth-departure stage.

---

The capability to carry an integrated upper Earth departure stage bringing the total lift capability of the Space Launch System to 130 tons or more.

posted 10-02-2010 10:01 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fezman92:
I saw something online about the budget being passed.

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posted 10-11-2010 09:16 AM               

A media telecon to discuss the bill's pending signing will be held at 10 a.m. CDT with participants:

• NASA Administrator Charles Bolden
  
• NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver
  
• U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, Florida
  
• U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, Florida's 24th District
  
• Former Augustine Committee member, physicist, and former astronaut Sally Ride

posted 10-11-2010 02:03 PM               

NASA Administrator Thanks President Obama and Congress for Agency's New Direction Support

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in support of President Obama's signing of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010:

"Earlier today, President Obama signed into law the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010. It is important bipartisan legislation that charts a new course for space exploration, science, technology development, and aeronautics. We are grateful for the President's forward-thinking plan and the hard work members of Congress put into this framework that will guide us for the coming three years.

Photo credit: The White House/Pete Souza

"This legislation supports the president's ambitious plan for NASA to pioneer new frontiers of innovation and discovery. With this direction, we will extend operations on the International Space Station through at least 2020.

"We will foster a growing commercial space transportation industry that will allow NASA to focus our efforts on executing direction in the act to start work on a heavy-lift architecture to take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit and to develop a multipurpose crew vehicle for use with our new space launch systems.

"Also, we will continue to invest in green aviation and other technologies that make air travel safer and more efficient.

"In collaboration with our international partners, industry, and academia, we will build and launch observatories and robotic missions to explore our solar system and peer through new windows into our amazing universe, as well as help us better understand our own home planet with a robust plus-up in our Earth Science program. Our education programs will build on all of this to inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers.

"We have been given a new path in space that will enable our country to develop greater capabilities, transforming the state of the art in aerospace technologies. We will continue to maintain and expand vital partnerships around the world. It will help us retool for the industries and jobs of the future that will be vital for long-term economic growth and national security.

"Our workers have been steadfast in their dedication to safety and success through this time of transition, and we salute their hard work and continued professional excellence. They will continue to be our most vital resource as we implement these plans.

"As the 2011 appropriations process moves forward, there is still a lot of hard work ahead of us in collaboration with the Congress. We are committed to work together with the continued wide public support for NASA, and the bipartisan backing of Congress. Today's vote of confidence from the president ensures America's space program will remain at the forefront of a bright future for our nation."