In what way are the “ULA AtlasV, Space DEV Dream-Chaser (reusable lifting body) and Bigelow LEO, moon, mars habs” a “commercial alternative to the Flex-path Space-X capsule paradigm”? They are one and same thing. Today it is SpaceX and a capsule and possibly ULA/Boeing and a capsule. Tomorrow??? Who knows? But they are all commercial and they don’t need a NASA mandate for exploration if one does not come about. There is no paradigm here except the one you just made up.

The Buzz Aldrin article does present an interesting idea. I was puzzled by an early comment in which he seem supportive of this new effort. Now I see why. It seems that he is proposing a booster perhaps similar to the Direct rockets. This way we could use Shuttle SRBs rather than the evolved Ares type (takes care of the ATK faction). Then develop a HL-20 type space glider as the crew module. Lockeed Martin’s original CEV concept was of this type and SpaceDev is now working on the DreamChaser that is of HL-20 linage. I also like the idea of continuing the Shuttle until this new system is flying.

To some other people, you don’t really expect a popular backlash about the space program do you? I think we are best being a little low profile on this. If the key committee’s want something else, it doesn’t create a large budget ripple, and it gives Obama something different than Bush we have big chance for success. I don’t think high profile talk of ISS vs. Moon vs. Mars is the way to go in these times.