One thing that Garver and her boss, General Bolden, probably regret is that they didn’t sit down before the rollout with the key members of Congress (committee chiefs and ranking members), and those congresscritters whose districts would be affected by Constellation getting the ax, and explain why they were doing what they did, express regret at short-term job losses, and point out that the contractors doing Constellation work would have ample opportunites to bid on new aspects of the exploration program. They did nothing of the sort. Everyone involved-members of Congress, contractors, Center directors found out the way we did-via the news media. I imagine Bolden and Garver are wondering where they went wrong. Were they expecting that everyone would sing praises of the new program to the sky, applaud, and that Congress would rubber-stamp it?

“I’m not against the Private Sector, but against the private sector being the only source for this mission (LEO).” Sen Bill Nelson (D-FL) ”

Let’s see what that statement sounds like in the DOD world:

“I’m not against the Private Sector, but against the private sector being the only source for fighter aircraft.” Sen Bill Nelson (D-FL) ”

He would be laughed at in the DOD world for making such a statement, and it’s pretty clear he’s making a political statement, not one that is looking out for the U.S. Taxpayer (i.e. costs & capability).

Take a look again at the most recent Senate Hearing-with Bolden and Dr. Holdren in the 1st Panel and Armstrong, Cernan, and Norm Augustine in the 2nd. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX-the ranking member of the Committee and the chair if the GOP takes control of the Senate) to Dr. Holdren at 58:25: “I’m not against the Private Sector, but against the private sector being the only source for this mission (LEO).” Sen Bill Nelson (D-FL) follows, saying that Sen. Hutchinson has a point. Read: Delta IV Heavy with Orion will likely follow.

I noticed that you were not able to offer up any other competitor that is either close or further ahead of SpaceX towards fielding a capsule, which proves my point. SpaceX has a huge lead over anyone else that could offer capsule services in the U.S.

And none of your inane comments will change that…

Inigo Montoya: You keep using that phrase. I do not think it means what you think it means.

– – – – – – – –

Some small part of the world may be following SpaceX, but you seem to be one of the few obsessed with it. As my daughter would say – Chil-lax!

Regarding “deep pocketed investors”, with $150M from their current investors, the company has created a $2.4B order backlog. With a track record like that, if SpaceX wants more investors, I don’t think they will have a problem finding them – and that’s just for their non-crew capabilities.

Musk is no hurry to add commercial crew, since they already have a huge lead over any other potential competitor. And that’s also the reason why he can wait for a NASA commercial crew program to pay for the final pieces they need to add (crew gantry, LAS, etc.). Why spend your own money when your customer will be glad to pay for it? I bet that’s galling to you, isn’t it…

Roses are red
Violets are blue
No duh poet
Your lines add nothing new

“Musketeers have flown no one;
And wont be for some time to come;
Fix the roll; halt the spinning;
Stop the talk, and just start flying.”

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Dragon goes up in October
But Orion never flew

“<- tick- tock, tick-tock… the world awaits, the first successful launch of a commercial man in space."

Tick-tock, tick-tock, the world awaits the first successful launch of Orion.

Or a schedule for the first launch of Orion.

Or just knowing what Orion's launch vehicle is.

Ugh…

Our Tommy just doesn’t get it;
NASA’s earned respect and credit;
For lofting crews five decades on,
Earth orbit and to our moon beyond.

Musketeers have flown no one;
And wont be for some time to come;
Fix the roll; halt the spinning;
Stop the talk, and just start flying.