Posted on 01/11/2009 9:22:32 AM PST by MyTwoCopperCoins
NASA, when it isn't finding rogue space lights or mysterious BOOMs of the non-Steve Jobsian variety, is apparently sending rogue science teams to brief President-elect Obama on the future of the space program.
These teams weren't sanctioned by NASA top brass, so in a way they are effectively going rogue, not unlike an Alaskan governor in a Saks Fifth Avenue. They were also not towing the company line about the future of the space program. In fact, they argued that NASA should scrap the upcoming Ares rocket program in lieu of a new program called Jupiter Direct, which relies heavily on proven current-gen space shuttle program technologies and rocket parts.
On paper at least, the Jupiter Direct program appears cheaper. Using a smaller and less cool-sounding rocket than the Ares 1, called the Jupiter 120, the program would require the modified external tank from the space shuttle, which would be shot into space by two RS-68 liquid-fuel engines. Liftoff would occur thanks to the two four-segment solid rocket boosters engineers would bring over directly from the existing shuttle program (which is obvious once you see that image).
And better yet, the Jupiter Direct program has longevity built right in. Because its engine configuration is theoretically more powerful than Ares, the 120 rocket would have the extra oompf necessary for a lunar flyby. A larger Jupiter 232 rocket would allow man (and woman) to land on the moon after a hookup with NASA's Orion lander capsule, which the program leaves unchanged.
Ultimately, the plan is about saving money and keeping space flight missions ongoing after the shuttle program is retired, not usurping NASA. The Obama transition team provided no comment on the rogue meeting, or on the Ares program, for that matter.
Just couldn’t resist taking a cheap shot at Governor Palin could they?
I love rogue skunkworks. Great to see there still are some cowboys out there!
.....they are effectively going rogue, not unlike an Alaskan governor in a Saks Fifth Avenue.....
They didn't even make grammatical sense doing it.
best aimed shot since Plexico Burris in a night club
Okay, for the record, we see here the obligatory media drive-by at Sarah Palin in an article that has nothing whatsoever to do with her. ...And another mangling of a common phrase by a "journalist": "towing the line". Folks, the saying is "toe the line" or "toeing the line." To accept the policies, principles or authority of a particular group. (Literally, referring to an imaginary line that soldiers and sailors form upon by aligning the toe of their boots or shoes on it.)
Rogue NASA Science Team Pitches New Spacecraft Designs to Obama
I'm not up on what is going on with or within NASA. You may well be right to be excited about this. But I'm cautious whenever "rogues" make an end run to the "top". It reminds me of the Reagan and Bush "Administration" leaks to the press that make the POTUS look bad. Usually they are closet RATS or State Department liberals just looking to cause trouble.
Either the existing NASA brass is so oppressive and/or incompetent that these "rogues" felt a real need to do this, -or- these guys really don't have anything worthwhile and the NASA brass is doing the right thing to limit it.
I prefer to see organizations work properly and within the chain of command if at all possible. Running to Obama seems seedy.
water-skiing, baby!!!
WHat? No more space shuttle?
Sorry, I stopped reading at that point.
BUMP for later read after football!
Yeah, and he (they) don't know it's "Toe the line", not "Tow the line".
As in "Get up to the line and toe it, the 100 yard dash is about to start".
“not unlike an Alaskan governor in a Saks Fifth Avenue”
The author’s credibility went right into the dump with that azzinine statement. It reveals that the author is more political hack than an actual science reporter.
I'll take door number one, Chuck.
If Obama listens to these guys it might be the smartest thing he has done, yet.
“Either the existing NASA brass is so oppressive and/or incompetent that these felt a real need to do this, -or- these guys really don’t have anything worthwhile and the NASA brass is doing the right thing to limit it.”
You are correct in that Congress has oppressed and regulated NASA’s Administration to death. But you are also correct with your second assessment - it is not a worthwhile project and the men involved are “whack-jobs”. My husband, who has worked with NASA contracts in the past says the rocket does not even work - never has and never will. It is a poor design.
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1598904/posts
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