Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

clark · 2004-02-12 07:40:52

Bill, try CNN: [http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/02/1 … index.html]Panel begins space exploration hearings

The man in charge of setting the president's moon-Mars vision into motion said Wednesday he's looking to the aerospace industry and ordinary Americans for advice on "sustaining the journey."
The creation of a decades-long blueprint began with the first in a series of public hearings on the space exploration policy put forth by President George W. Bush a month ago.
"We are here because the president has asked us to chart the course that makes it possible to successfully sustain the journey to the moon, to Mars and beyond," said Edward "Pete" Aldridge, chairman of the president's new space commission.
"The commission also understands that its customer is the president and the American people," he said in his opening remarks.
American taxpayers must be consulted -- and politics sidelined -- if astronauts are to travel to the moon, Mars and beyond, Aldridge had said in an interview before Wednesday's hearing in Washington.
"We will only make a dent in this program in the next four years, so we've got to take the political aspect out," said Aldridge, a retired Defense Department official. "It cannot be sustainable if you make it political."

There are some better quotes in there.

Bill White · 2004-02-12 08:03:54

These are the right words, IMHO, yet it will be hard to get Democrats to sign on after the process is complete. A better space commission would have co-chairs, a respected Republican heavy hitter and a respected Democratic heavy hitter. That commission just maybe could craft a policy that will survive 20 years.

We need to wean ourselves from the "Pied Piper" model of space advocacy leadership. Saying that the president's vision cannot be "challenged or modified" is a bad start, IMHO.

Aldridge may very well understand this and spoke those words not really meaning them to be true. I sure hope so.

Yet saying the President's vision cannot be "challenged or modified" does contradict the formation of a democratic consensus that will survive transitions in power. And the simple fact that the policy behind the January Bush speech was crafted 100% behind closed doors doesn't give much confidence.

clark · 2004-02-12 08:24:17

I'm uneasy too. Yet I think this stems from a lack of information... the more I learn though, the more sensible it all seems to be.

The Commission really dosen't have heavy hitters in any real capacity. They are private wonks, enlisting public support, for implementing the vision outlined by Bush. It's just an outline, but they are constrained to develop a plan that achieves all of the objectives within the time frames required.

It's just a goal, and I know others want more, but let's be practical. A step forward is a step closer. It's not just Mars we are considering after the moon- there's Titan, the asteroids... everything.

We become transfixed by Mars, our Mars, and miss the stars that enevelope her. The moon will give us Mars, and the solar system. Not only our desire, but every other desire set upon a destination beyond, all tied to the Moon.

That's the plan. Get back to the Moon in ten years, and no less than 16. Then learn, and go from there.

That's what they are implementing. The only issue that really needs to be resolved is an SDV or HLLV to replace the Shuttle. And the only reason I think so is because you have convinced me.

It could have been better, but I think it's good enough (good enough for government). Indeed, your suggestion may very well be a reccomendation made by the Space Commission- it's sensible.

clark · 2004-02-12 09:53:47

[=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=11846]Hearing Charter: House Science Committee Hearing: "U.S. Vision for Space Exploration"

The above link is to the Charter (basically a guiding document) for the Committee on Science Hearing for the US Vision for Space Exploration. They are investigating the impact the President's proposal will have on NASA and science in general.

They meet today at 10AM EST

Bill White · 2004-02-12 10:22:35

We become transfixed by Mars, our Mars, and miss the stars that enevelope her. The moon will give us Mars, and the solar system. Not only our desire, but every other desire set upon a destination beyond, all tied to the Moon.

"Mars first" is politically DEAD, at least IMHO, because the average citizen will never be convinced Mars is closer and easier than the Moon. I may not agree this is correct from an engineering point of view yet if I blast engineers for not thinking like politicians I cannot criticize politicians for not thinking like engineers.

"Moon first" is a necessity because most Americans believe the Moon is closer (in terms of delta V its not so clear) and we lack the political and memetic firepower to change that belief.

Okay, lets move on and build systems that truly can do both.

That's the plan. Get back to the Moon in ten years, and no less than 16. Then learn, and go from there.

IF the plan survives January 2009;

IF the crumbling Bush credibility doesn't result in President Kerry in 2004;

IF Congress approves the Bush plan. Here in Illinois the two leading Republican Senate candidates oppose the space vision as being too expensive.

Back in January President Bush gave a terrific speech. Humans must go beyond LEO. He already said that and deserves an A+++ for having said it.

NOW, the strategy to do just that must be owned by and committed to by a wide consensus of power brokers. Share the credit and share the vision and we can survive transitions in political power.

clark · 2004-02-12 13:56:23

[=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=929]Congress Expresses Enthusiasm and Doubt About New Space Policy

The above link is a transcript brief of the meeting today by the House Science Committee on the Vision of Space Exploration, by Keith Cowing.

Most of the leaders quoted in the brief have been saying what I have been saying. And there seems to be broad bipartisan support for the vision outlined by Bush, but there remain questions on how it's going to happen... which is what the Commission is working on.

clark · 2004-02-12 17:23:54

[=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=930]President's New Space Commission has its First Meeting

The above link will take you to an article by Keith Cowing (sorry, always seems to be on top of these stories) giving a synopsis of the first meeting held by the Space Commission appointed by President Bush.

There are several excerpts from the members, which make for some interesting food-for-thought.

Bill White · 2004-02-18 14:47:57

The next meeting will be in Dayton Ohio.

[http://www.moontomars.org/news/events.asp]http://www.moontomars.org/news/events.asp

Anyone know how to find out whether members of the general public (me!) can obtain admission?

clark · 2004-02-18 14:54:15

[=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=13666]Public Hearings Set for Moon to Mars Commission

The above link is to a list of all future public meetings for the Space Commission.

Locations and dates for the public hearings are:
March 3 and 4, Dayton, Ohio, Air Force Museum.
March 24 and 25, Atlanta, Georgia, location to be announced.
April 15 and 16, San Francisco, California, location to be announced.
May 3 and 4, New York City, location to be announced.

They appear to be open to the public, I would imagine that interested parties contact the location places directly to find out what kind of requirements are in place (if any) to attend a meeting.

Bill White · 2004-02-18 15:10:33

Susan Flowers posted a link to the Presidential commission here at New Mars. So I went to the source!

NewMars private message:

Ms. Flowers -
Thank you for posting at NewMars.com.
I am interested in attending the Dayton meeting (probably on Thurday only). How can I obtain an admission ticket?
I would be flying from Chicago Wednesday evening and would not wish to pay airfare and hotel unless admission was probable. Thank You!
Bill White

Her almost instant reply:

Bill,
Attending the Commission is a first-come, first-seated on each day. The auditorium where we will be seats 500 and I expect that there will be adequate seating for you.
I am pleased in your interest and encourage you to come along and be a part of this historic process to chart the course for the next several decades.
Susan Flowers

Right now its about 50/50 whether I can justify "playing" instead on working on March 4th - - if any NewMars folk are in Dayton late Wednesday evening maybe I can buy you a beer! - - > I suppose if 501 people show up and I am denied a seat I can always tour the Air Force museum and see an IMAX movie. ???

clark · 2004-02-19 06:21:18

Bill, always looking for a date.

It appears some people on the Space Commission think it's a good idea to commercialize more aspects of NASA via selling products and ad space to the public or companies. They cite some law as preventing this becuase any funds generated are sent to the Treasury, not NASA. They suggest we change that so NASA can start realizing some new resources.

Sounds like they want to make NASA something like the Post Office. Not sure how I would feel if my postman showed up with a bunch of food company and bail bond stickers on them... junkmail, spam, now this... :laugh:

Anyway, here are the links, the Houston Chronicle is a little more imformative/speculative.

ABCnews
[http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Living/ap20040218_1801.html]Backers: Privatize Moon-Mars Mission Funds

Houston Chronicle
[http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2409799]Businessmen say NASA can cash in on Mars visits

Yang Liwei Rocket · 2004-07-18 15:36:04

there are many questions to be answered now, some people are unsure about how such a mission will get off the ground. Kerry has also spoken against the plan, and top people are asking however are they going to ahve people on mars?? NASA has done some wonderful things in the past with voyager and putting men on the moon , I hope NASA can fix this soon

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#26 2004-02-12 07:40:52

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

#27 2004-02-12 08:03:54

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

#28 2004-02-12 08:24:17

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

#29 2004-02-12 09:53:47

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

#30 2004-02-12 10:22:35

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

#31 2004-02-12 13:56:23

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

#32 2004-02-12 17:23:54

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

#33 2004-02-18 14:47:57

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

#34 2004-02-18 14:54:15

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

#35 2004-02-18 15:10:33

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

#36 2004-02-19 06:21:18

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

#37 2004-07-18 15:36:04

Re: Presidential Commission: Bush Space Policy - Discussion and information related to...

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