Bush outlined, in the Vision for Space Exploration that the new NASA would not need as many workers because of the new ideas and technology.

We saw how long congress allowed that to run. O’keefe and the spiral design using EELV’s was gone. Griffin was in with his new ESAS 90 day study and back was all the old heritage hardware.

Why the hell are you so surprised a President doesn’t get all they want in the area of space?

Vladislaw wrote Congress canceled Constellation when a bipartisan group refused to fund it any longer because it was behind schedule and over budget.

Obama tried to cancel Constellation, but powerful members of Congress, including KBH and Democrat Bill Nelson, jammed Constellation down the administration’s throat under its new name, SLS/Orion

“2. Avoid any investment in lunar exploration, but keep making vague allusions to some form of future lunar exploration;”

Can you please explain how many people the taxpayers can afford to sent to the moon at over $1 billion apiece?? Romney laughs at human spaceflight. Republicans in Congress are demanding that discretionary spending be slashed so that they can cut taxes further. Tell me what GOP taxpayer is willing to pay even $1 more in taxes to send you to the moon.

Like LEO, we can go to the moon when we build the tools to do it economically.

“I’m afraid there is an Obama space policy.
In a nutshell:
1. Cancel Constellation;”

Congress canceled Constellation when a bipartisan group refused to fund it any longer because it was behind schedule and over budget.

“2. Avoid any investment in lunar exploration, but keep making vague allusions to some form of future lunar exploration;”

Fuel depot investments can be used for traveling to Luna.

“3. Spend billions on Star Trek inspired technology with distant hope of bringing something, anything practical to fruition;”

Name some ACTUAL programs being funded that is star trek technology, what is NASA working on warp engines and transporter technology?

“4. Un-cancel Orion using funds previously diverted for Star Trek inspired technology;”

No President has ever been issued a magic wand that they wave then get everything they want. Congress wanted Orion and were willing to fund it.

“5. Go somewhere “beyond earth orbit” someday….maybe an asteroid, but we’re not really sure why;”

The timeline was laid out for both an asteroid and Mars missions. The reasons were given, but you chose to ignore those pesky things called facts. They interfer with the false narrative you want to tell.

“6. Build a big rocket that will go to an asteroid because Congress told us to.”

The United States is not a dictatorship. Congress, in particular, the House of Representatives, gets to control the checkbook.

“7. Go to Mars sometime before our grandchildren are senior citizens.”

I am sure a super daddy like you could wave his magic wand and aquire full funding for a Mars trip next year. Unfortunately this President doesn’t have the luxury of utilizing your magic wand.

“That’s it…. A grand vision!”

The only grand vision I read was the false narrative you are so bent on telling.

“That’s it…. A grand vision!”

I haven’t seen you lay out a space policy. Present one to us so we can critique it Daddy-style.

Oh, and if at any time your space policy implies repeating things we’ve done before (like “exploring” the Moon), don’t bother. We already know how to get to the Moon, land, and return safely. Doing it again doesn’t get us any closer to Mars.

A mission to an asteroid does get us closer to Mars. See the difference?

Or are you a Lunartic?

The future began at 3:44 AM EDT today. Thank you, Elon Musk. Thank you, NASA. Thank you, President Obama for supporting space exploration. I suspect that the next vehicle to take Americans into space launched this morning.

I’m afraid there is an Obama space policy.
In a nutshell:
1. Cancel Constellation;
2. Avoid any investment in lunar exploration, but keep making vague allusions to some form of future lunar exploration;
3. Spend billions on Star Trek inspired technology with distant hope of bringing something, anything practical to fruition;
4. Un-cancel Orion using funds previously diverted for Star Trek inspired technology;
5. Go somewhere “beyond earth orbit” someday….maybe an asteroid, but we’re not really sure why;
6. Build a big rocket that will go to an asteroid because Congress told us to.
7. Go to Mars sometime before our grandchildren are senior citizens.

That’s it…. A grand vision!

Sorry if I may have rubbed some the wrong way, but I have yet to see anything that would constitute a space policy from the Obama administration. Instead of the snide remarks, actually list one policy he has followed thru on regarding human exploration except for canceling the Constellation program which was a done deal anyway.>>

Just because a “policy” does not have human space exploration as its centerpiece does not mean there is not a policy. If you assume a policy is only a policy if it has human space exploration then there hasnt been one in oh say 4 plus decades. RGO