Before the FY07 budget was released and everyone’s attention focused on cutbacks in NASA’s science program, there had been some attention to a decision by the agency to delete a methane/LOX engine as a requirement for the CEV. The engine was seen as a technology trailblazer for later human missions to Mars, where in situ resource utilization would allow future crews to manufacture the propellants needed for the return trip there. The Mars Society hasn’t forgotten the deletion of the engine, and this week sent a letter to every member of Congress, asking them to revive the effort. “We hope that Congress and NASA will find a way to restore this program and fully adopt a policy of using common hardware as much as possible in order to save time and money.”
Good for them. I, too, was dismayed to see this disappear from the plan.
— Donald
While I would like to see the methane engine in the original design I also understand why it was eliminated. I think the term “technology trailblazer” is the key here. That usualy means cost and schedule over runs and it’s those reasons that the next generation of space vehicals get canceled.
I think the right path is to get the CEV completed than make upgrades like the methane engine in the block 2 and block 3 designs.
I could live with that, if there were a clear path — e.g., the tankage envelope and stuff were all sized for methane.
— Donald