Chandler Predicts Stronger Ties Between Air Force And NASA

Inside Defense ^ | 4/30/2010 | Titus Ledbetter III

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The proposed cancellation of NASA’s Constellation manned spacecraft program could foster a stronger bond between the civilian space agency and the Air Force, a senior service official said this week.

“This is going to drive us to work together,” Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Howie Chandler at an April 28 Air Force Association breakfast in Arlington, VA, when asked if cancellation of Constellation could impact the Air Force. “I think you’ll see us start to do that even more than we have in the past.”

To that end, the Air Force is participating in a forum to discuss space launch activities and areas of cooperation that include range modernization and accommodation for secondary payloads, according to a service spokeswoman.

Gary Payton, the deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for space, is leading the forum, which includes participants from NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office and the Office of the Secretary of Defense, according to Maj. Angie Blair, a service spokeswoman.

“Each of these organizations has distinct equities in the space launch arena,” Blair wrote in an April 27 e-mail. “However, fiscal constraints and a shared industrial base necessitate close cooperation between these organizations.”

The potential areas of cooperation identified for the forum include main engine and upper stage propulsion, according to Blair. The forum is still in its early stages and other areas of collaboration will also be identified. Recommendations will be delivered to NASA, the Air Force, OSD and NRO officials for action in the future, according to Blair.

Gen. Robert Kehler, the commander of Air Force Space Command, said the group is examining propulsion issues with solid rocket motors during an April 13 media roundtable at the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, CO.

[Jeff Chandler]

What the heck?

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I guess we are seeing the slow merger beween the military and NASA. Something I have been proposing for years.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Ping

[texson66]

Sure, the track record of NASA and the Air Force working “together” has been a really “great “ one!

First, the LANDSAT follow on was torpedoed by NASA and recently NASA stabbed NPOESS in the back to take over that program.

If the AF has ANY sense, it will steer clear of anything NASA offers up to work with them!

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The X-37 is a success between NASA and the USAF.

[texson66]

“I guess we are seeing the slow merger beween the military and NASA. Something I have been proposing for years.”

Yes, and Obama will become a Conservative and the sun will rise in the West. Oil and water will mix about as well.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Next-generation launch vehicles, enhanced use of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite constellations, telecommunications, and radar surveillance from space all these and other technologies are to be moved forward given growth of a NASA-military alliance

[texson66]

The Boeing X-37 Orbital Test Vehicle is an American unpiloted spaceplane. It is operated by the U.S. Air Force for orbital spaceflight missions intended to demonstrate reusable space technologies.[1] The X-37 is a reusable robotic spacecraft that is a 120 percent–scaled derivative of the X-40A. The X-37 began as a NASA project in 1999, then was transferred to the US Department of Defense in 2004. It had its first flight as a drop test on April 7, 2006, at Edwards AFB. The spaceplane's first orbital mission, USA-212 was launched on April 22, 2010 using an Atlas V rocket.[2] Not a "successful" joint program at all.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

You are correct. Its more military than NASA.

[texson66]

Dream on brother

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Dreams have a habit of becoming reality

[jmcenanly]

The first man and the last man to walk on the Moon were civilians. The rest were military.
I think Americans would not mind space exploration to be a part of the military. In fact, I think they almost expect it.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Neil Armstrong was a United States Naval Aviator.Buzz Aldrin was a United States Air Force officer.

[texson66]

So do nightmares

[jmcenanly]

Even more so. Previously, many of our great expeditions have been military, or used military personnel. I don’t see why this should continue into the future

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I agree. But there are some people who do not like this. I say to hell with them. The military controlling space exploration is the future. NASA can control the scientific end.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The military has the cash.NASA does not

[Windcatcher]

The military can also quietly develop and mature technologies that would cause panty-waist libs to freak if NASA tried them. In-space nuclear reactors would cause the greenies to protest until NASA backed down, but the AF can just make it “black”.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I agree. The military has endless resources that NASA does not have.