Lessons for the future of human space flight

As we contemplate the future of the nation’s human space flight program at this critical juncture, I would like share my own thoughts based on almost 40 years of experience working in the space program—from JPL scientist in 1968 to NASA Associate Administrator for the Office of Space Science in 1993–1998, to continuing passionate advocate ever since. I think there are eight high-level lessons learned from past experience.

the US needs to develop its next deep space transportation system to go to the Moon and beyond

Agree to a point. The "big, dumb booster" to which we've already committed ourselves needs to be usable for sending astronauts anywhere they might go in the foreseeable future; nevertheless, if you plan on actually touching down on another world, your landing craft can't be standardized. The specs you need to land on the moon vs. landing on Mars vs. 'landing' on some asteroid are completely different. There is no way to make a single craft that would be equal to all three tasks, and trying would invariably lead to a vehicle far from ideal for any.

absent unlimited resources as in the Apollo years, presidentially-imposed completion dates are deadly

The presidentially imposed goal of "a man on the moon before the end of the decade" produced results. There needs to be accountability; and while deadlines need to be realistic, having none at all is conducive toward stagnation.

specification of a particular destination will limit the capability of the transportation system to go to other destinations

True, I know of no way around it.

cost must be a foremost consideration

Absolutely, it is the problem of problems.

the next generation of deep space human missions should be conducted as an international enterprise

Absolutely not. The ISS was a fiasco of the first order: $100 billion over budget, a decade behind schedule, a system at best slightly more capable than Mir/Skylab - this is not a model we want to emulate. And here's a thought, if we truly believe that space is a destination so out of reach that it takes a conglomeration of all the wealth of our entire planet to reach it; shouldn't we stop pretending that mankind has any business being there?

the rationale for the program must be articulated for the public

Aye, there's the rub; the rationale is weak. We've already all heard the variety of arguments for why human space exploration is necessary; and some segment of the population has already rejected them all. It's their money too, and they get at least some say in how it's spent. And perhaps it's just my reflexive libertarianism speaking; but I don't like the idea of any government agency being tasked with telling the public how necessary it is.

NASA must provide the public with a long deep space exploration plan that includes well-defined milestone accomplishments

Doesn't that contradict point #2? I'm all for milestones, deadlines, and accomplishments. I think I'm being more consistent than the author.

robotic exploration must be supported as a means to explore where humans cannot go and to assist humans to go where they can

Yes, of course.

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