Comments on: What to look for on budget day

By: Michael Kent

Michael Kent — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 17:44:00 +0000

“For the years 2018, 2019, 2020 they are only showing two commercial flights per year.”

Two crew & six cargo. Were you expecting something different?

By: Hiram

Hiram — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 16:46:45 +0000

Yes, I now understand that the budget release was going to be done in “two installments”. That’s a new one. Congressional Quarterly reported last week that summary levels for the Presidentâ€™s budget would be released on March 4, but more detailed information on individual programs would not come out until March 11.

By: Fred Willett

Fred Willett — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 09:22:27 +0000

I really can’t see SpaceX developing a Raptor powered HLV any time soon. There is simply no market for it.
So why are they spending good money right now developing the Raptor methane engine?
Well what I think SpaceX really wants right now is a reusable 2nd stage. Trying to do that on the existing RP1 2nd stage is simply not practical. the RP1 2nd stage is way under powered. But a methane powered 2nd stage…
Look to see the biggest Raptor powered 2nd stage they can manage. This will give them heaps of margin for reusability. My bet is it may appear towards the end of 2014 or early in 2015. I wouldn’t be surprised either if it were 5m in diameter. the same as the current Falcon fairing. That gives another advantage. When they finally do see the need for the methane powered BFR the 2nd stage is already built.

By: Lars

Lars — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 07:57:39 +0000

Indeed. If you are for SLS but against ARM – a valid mission for SLS thar wouldn’t break the bank – then you care more for spending money on the darn thing instead if flying it. Long live the jobs program, I guess…?

By: Bennett In Vermont

Bennett In Vermont — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 05:06:25 +0000

“… space isnâ€™t important.”

To “most people” (in Vermont), the property tax increase imposed by federally mandated but unfunded education requirements trumps what NASA is or is not doing this week. That, and trying to limit the “screen time” that their children experience daily, despite the fact that a Kindle with MineCraft is the most effective (but yet despite its creative attributes, is still a negative influence) “Nanny” of the western world…

It’s a wonder that we have a space program at all, robotic OR human. Listening to NASA or our appropriators talk about “this here is what we’re gonna do” has become a prophecy of exactly what we, as a nation, are NOT going to do.

Jeff Greason and Elon Musk are about all we space fanatics have of substance at this point. But it could be worse.

By: Neil Shipley

Neil Shipley — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 01:08:41 +0000

Yes if only it was that easy.

By: Neil Shipley

Neil Shipley — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 01:07:23 +0000

Presumably one commercial provider and more Soyuz flights.

By: Neil Shipley

Neil Shipley — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 01:06:14 +0000

Well because to most people, space isn’t important.

By: Neil Shipley

Neil Shipley — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 01:04:51 +0000

They can order all they like but if they don’t provide any funding it’s just bs.

By: Neil Shipley

Neil Shipley — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 01:01:33 +0000

Wish it did but FH doesn’t get near the SLS throw weight 53mT to LEO with cross-feed and no reuse. But Raptor powered F9 will eat it. Couple of years of development gets us to 2016 then the vehicle say another year, say end of 2017 but that would have to be pushing it.