NASA

Rolling out the new architecture

Now that the STS-114 mission is nearly complete (and will hopefully conclude with a safe landing Monday) all eyes now turn to the long-awaited (well, a couple-of-months-awaited) new exploration architecture that NASA administrator Michael Griffin and his team have been developing. SpaceRef, citing unnamed “senior NASA sources”, reported Saturday that the agency will start rolling out the plan to White House and Congressional staffers in about a week, with a public announcement planned during the week before Labor Day. New Scientist goes even further and says that the plan will be announced on August 30.

The timing is significant in two ways. One, the week before Labor Day is one of the slowest news weeks in the year (second perhaps only to the week between Christmas and New Years): barring any calamity, natural or man-made, there won’t be much else going on that will compete with the rollout for media exposure. Second, that week is also when AIAA will be holding its three-day Space 2005 conference in Long Beach. Griffin, who was president-elect of AIAA when named NASA administrator, is scheduled to give a luncheon speech at the conference on August 31, which would provide him an opportunity to introduce (or reintroduce) the exploration architecture in front of a large industry audience.

2 comments to Rolling out the new architecture

  • Bob

    Jeez, Dr. Griffin not only was getting a masters in computer science on top of his job when he was asked to be the NASA Administrator, but he was president-elect of AIAA as well? Seems like he’s one super machine – or he’s got 45 hour days.

  • Cecil Trotter

    “Seems like he’s one super machine – or he’s got 45 hour days.”

    Hehe, I’ve thought the same thing. I struggle to work a 9 hour day, keep the pool clean and the grass cut!