The NASA Authorization Act of 2010

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation ^

[battlecry]

The bill would authorize NASA appropriations for FY 2011-2013 with the same top-line budget values as the President’s request to Congress. The bill would support an overall growth in science, aeronautics, and space technology and define a long-term goal for human space flight to expand a permanent human presence beyond low-Earth orbit. Key objectives of this goal would include full utilization of the International Space Station (ISS), determining the ability of humans to live in space for extended periods of time, maximizing the role of space exploration and technology in current and future missions, advancing knowledge and inspiring young people into higher education, and building upon international partnerships.

Human Space Flight. The bill would:

· Couple human space flight efforts to national and global needs and challenges;

· Provide a sustainable exploration program to incorporate new technologies and in-space capabilities;

· Require immediate development of a heavy-lift capability and continued support of an exploration crew vehicle to be capable of supporting missions beyond low-Earth orbit starting in 2016; and

· Support a sound performance and cost framework by maximizing use, where possible, of the workforce, assets, and capabilities of the Space Shuttle, Constellation, and other NASA programs.

Space Technology. The bill would:

· Invest in exploration technologies and robotic capabilities that are tied to the overall exploration framework and support U.S. innovation and competitiveness.

Commercial Cargo and Crew. The bill would:

· Continue to support commercial cargo development and provide additional funds to meet launch infrastructure requirements and accelerate development activity; and

· Expand the Commercial Crew Development Program in 2011 for concept development and supporting activities, while requiring a number of studies to ensure effective oversight of the potential initiation of a commercial crew capability procurement program no earlier than 2012.

International Space Station. The bill would:

· Extend the ISS to at least 2020 to support international and commercial collaboration and growth, research, and technology development to maximize the scientific return on the significant investment in the ISS;

· Establish an independent non-profit to work with NASA to fully develop the ISS U.S. segment as a National Laboratory; and

· Require an assessment of ISS requirements for parts and equipment needed to ensure its full functionality through 2020.

Shuttle Retirement and final “Launch on Need” Mission. The bill would:

· Authorize an additional Shuttle flight, contingent on a safety review, to provide necessary support for the extension of the ISS.

Science and Aeronautics. The bill would:

· Protect a balanced portfolio for NASA, including full funding of aeronautics and Earth and space science.

Education. The bill would:

· Support new education initiatives, such as teacher training programs, to reinforce NASA’s role in developing a workforce with strong science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills; and

· Increase the investment in NASA EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) and NASA Space Grant program.

Rescoping and Revitalizing Institutional Capabilities. The bill would:

· Require NASA to examine alternative management models for NASA’s workforce, centers, and capabilities, while enforcing short-term prohibitions on major center displacements and reductions-in-force until the study is completed.

[battlecry]

Senate committee met today to authorize the bill for NASA operations. The NASA Manned Space Flight programs continue efforts already started for ARES 1 and Orion and, in accordance with the legislation, all existing contracts, contractors, and staff will be retained and assigned the work under this new legislation.

Commercial Crew aspects will be funded at a very low level for STUDIES of feasibility and approaches. Commercial Freight will continue as before.

The House of Representatives legislation will be virtually identical to the Senate bill so reconcillation will be minimal effort. Anticipation is that a bill will be submitted for presidential signature by late next week or mid week next week.

This is not a good week for Bolden. Spent the last few months destroying the manned space program in accordance with Zero's directive. Then this week he gets thrown under the crawler by Gibbs and it appears that Zero will reverse course and nullify his authority.

Many contractors have been laid off already under the stop work orders.

If he had any honor, he would resign the moment Zero signs this legislation.

[YankeeReb]

[Yo-Yo]

The NASA Authorization Act of 2010

NASA is hereby authorized to operate a tourist attraction in Cape Canaveral, FL, known henceforth at the Kennedy Space Center and IMAX Theater, and to sell freeze-dried "Astronaut Ice Cream" in the gift shop.

[Non-Sequitur]

Many contractors have been laid off already under the stop work orders.

Wouldn't that have happened regardless, what with the shuttle flights scheduled to end no matter who had won in 2008?

[battlecry]

These would be Constellation/Orion layoffs, not STS.

[Secret Agent Man]

The NASA Authorization Act of 2010

Would: Send a craft over to Mecca to build understanding and peace with the mulsims.

[Non-Sequitur]

These would be Constellation/Orion layoffs, not STS.

Regardless, the shuttle flights end this year. The Constellation would have flown in what, 2015? 2020? What were these people expecting to do in the interim?

[Names Ash Housewares]

Make no mistake, this is good news. Congress prevailing over Obama’s giant leap backwards to a high degree.

Word is Obama will accept this compromise.
And it is that, it is a HUGE compromise on ObamaSpace.
He didn’t get nearly what he originally wanted. Not even close.

Heavy lift rocket devlopment starts in a year, not in five years like Obummer wanted waiting for propulsion unicorns.

Orion, the manned capsule capable of taking us beyond low earth orbit to destinations beyond will survive!
Obama wanted this eliminated at first, then he said he would make it an launched unmanned escape pod for the space station.

Orion crew capsule was the precious vessel of the Constellation program to preserve. And it looks like she’s safe.

2016 is fast paced goal for a beyond low earth orbit mission. Perhaps an Apollo 8 type mission fly around the moon.

The next President can start pushing for landers.

And there is moneys to help commercial, when they demonstrate they are ready, they can have a piece of the action.

If your were a Constellation supporter, you can’t be too upset about this plan. Congress reversed a lot of what Obama wanted.

It should keep Orion in a beyond low earth orbit configuration or variant, it should basically create what was the Constellation programs Ares 5 heavy lift rocket though perhaps more shuttle program derive then before.

The only crying babies I am seeing out there for this are the ObamaSpace supporters.

NASA human spaceflight for exploring beyond low earth orbit in this decade will survive IF Obama signs off on it.

And the rumor is he is ready to cave. We shall see.
Though no doubt there will be fiddlings with this before then.

[battlecry]

STS people are mostly now mission operations folks and most of their jobs will vaporize with the last mission next year.

The Orion/Constellation folks are involved in the design and development of the capsule, vehicle, avionics, engines, ground support equipment, software, and studies for advanced exploration systems (moon landers, moon station, communications, etc.)

Different people and skillsets, Non-Sequitur. End of the STS will hurt Kennedy. End of Constellation/Orion will hurt Johnson and Marshall.

[battlecry]

And if Zero caves, and the rumor on the Hill is that he will, where will this leave Bolden/Garver?

The “emotionally attached” and not quite “incredibly qualified” Hanley must have a the popcorn ready.

[Non-Sequitur]

Then wouldn’t the ‘Human Space Flight’ section of the legislation fund them? Or at least some of them?