AmericaSpace Note: We’re on AvWeek! Read it here, AmericaSpace – Website Highlights ObamaSpace’s Issues
For space explorers
For space explorers
AmericaSpace Note: We’re on AvWeek! Read it here, AmericaSpace – Website Highlights ObamaSpace’s Issues
I am glad to see that you are getting much-needed exposure on Aviation Week. I really don’t think the American public is getting a balanced view of what is happening in the manned and commercial space program. Your website provides both truthful and relevant information on what is going on behind-the-scenes with Obama, Congress and NASA, as well as it’s contractors. In addition to our loss as the greatest spacefaring nation ever, we stand to lose thousands of good skilled workers as the two sides continue to spar and reach no consensus. As I write this, I am keenly aware that I may no longer be working for a NASA contractor by the middle of October. I hope the tide turns, and that it turns quickly, before it’s too late!
The hope is, now that the NASA vote is on according to House Majority Leader Hoyer, that once HR-5781 is approved, it removes any veneer from NASA management that it doesn’t yet know the “sense of Congress” and therefore can still move ahead in canceling Constellation through some of the surreptitious means it’s used, the Anti-Deficiency Act being one. Should the vote go the way most think it will, NASA’s executive leadership will be faced with Constellation medium and Constellation strong, or good-cop-bad-cop.
Sadly, I doubt very much one particular leader, and her supporters at some space blogs, will let a little thing like the voice of Congress stop her crusade. But the word is that she’ll either be looking for new work or good legal representation not long after the next Congress is seated.
I suspect that if the house votes “no” on HR-5781, we will go with something like the Senate’s plan(at least as a foundation for a continuing resolution), but if the house votes “yes”, then what? Will we have to wait even longer for the two sides to come to an agreement on what manned space will look like? How long after the fall recess (and the November elections) will this occur? I want to hope that something positive comes out of this. Either version is better than what we have now, which is essentially nothing. I just haven’t had any reason to celebrate. When do you see the end of this drama. What should the average space fan look for (short of an actual manned Ares launch, which would be a beautiful thing indeed!).
Great points raised and the answers are…hard to find.
I’ve given up trying to figure out what the Administration is doing in space and why the President and his people have let the train go so far off the rails.
You’re probably right–a “Yes” vote in the House is much better since the real impact of a successful House vote would be in Appropriations bills. The appropriators have said that they are working closely with the authorizers, unlike in the past, to make sure that any bill works with the passed authorization. It’s possible, though not likely, that with a successful House authorization vote, if the appropriations staff are already talking, that a compromise bill could come quickly, one that would avoid a Conference.
But then, I didn’t think this madness would go on nearly as long as it has, so…what do I know.