“Steidle’s approach was much more comprehensive than FY11, it had an overarching vision, something critics of FY11 claim is their main objection to it.”

I am just saying in principle. It still was an incremental approach as technology was becoming available.

“The nice thing about spiral development is that its budget can be dialed down with graceful reduction in (or slow-down of) functionality. The same is not true for pie-in-the-sky, overreaching SDLV plans.”

Precisely.

Steidle’s approach was much more comprehensive than FY11, it had an overarching vision, something critics of FY11 claim is their main objection to it.

With all due respect to the spiral approach, Adm. Steidle was in dream land thinking he’d have the funding to pull it off the way he envisioned.

The nice thing about spiral development is that its budget can be dialed down with graceful reduction in (or slow-down of) functionality. The same is not true for pie-in-the-sky, overreaching SDLV plans.

No it’s not- they are not cars. The stupid analogies on this site are endless.

“Not anymore than Griffin.”

A lot less than Griffin!!! Steidle was sharing the wealth with several contractors. Griffin gave it all out to ATK for the LVs. Different politics different results…

“With all due respect to the spiral approach, Adm. Steidle was in dream land thinking he’d have the funding to pull it off the way he envisioned.”

Adm. Steidle had a plan, a long term plan. As long as O’Keefe was at the helm he got the funding. And the spiral approach, much like FY11, was to make incremental steps. Our friend Griffin came and threw all to waste with the result we know today.

So yes there is much respect to pay to some one who actually had a workable plan. So much so that his plan is being re-implemented by this WH.

Not anymore than Griffin.

They suggested using PRIVATE companies to provide transport to LEO as service instead of GOVERNMENT designed, operated and owned vehicles. They think industry should provide services to the government and other customers instead of a government owned monopoly.

The people on the panel were mostly from BUSINESSES, not traditionally the types of people who are in anyway left wing.

How much of a partisan hack do you need to be to makes statements so infused with cognitive dissonance it makes ones head spin?

Supporting Constellation just because its the GOP’s idea is idiotic. Its like claiming to be against the Soviets but supporting government design bureaus for vehicles!!

US Government doesn’t design your cars, your planes, your stationary, your houses, your clothes……..and so Obama decided to extend this to the rest and privatize LEO human spaceflight, a very “right wing” move.

GOP should be cheering, its what they suggest for everything else in the country……things that are far more important than something as trivial as human spaceflight. Actual important things like housing, medicine, banking, defense, transport have been risked to the private market.

I try not to be ideologically hide-bound like some commenters here. I calls ‘em as I perceives ‘em.

With all due respect to the spiral approach, Adm. Steidle was in dream land thinking he’d have the funding to pull it off the way he envisioned.

“Then again the ISRO would have to swallow their pride to ask for help and they’ve been getting help from the Russians lately, so Boeing might miss out on that market.”

I don’t think the pride issue will be that much of a factor, since as you pointed out, they have already been getting help from the Russians. Keep in mind also that India is much more familiar with the U.S. now, what with all the outsourcing we’ve done, so they are quite familiar with the technology potential from the U.S. versus Russia. Let’s just hope that the NBC show Outsourced hasn’t pissed them off…

The other thing that plays into it is that an American alternative like the CST-100 has only been known about for a year, so up until now if you wanted someone to help you get your space program going, Russia was the only option.

It also depends on what India wants to do, and what capabilities they need. Comparing Soyuz to CST-100 is like comparing a 1963 Mini Cooper to a 2010 minivan. Soyuz is a true spaceship with an airlock, but CST-100 is more roomy and modern, and may be all they need if India is leasing some Bigelow modules.

Lot’s of stuff happening – it’s going to be a fun year!