Change in space for NASA: Renting the Right Stuff.. US to outsource space race

WASHINGTON – Getting to space is about to be outsourced.
The Obama administration on Monday will propose in its new budget spending billions of dollars to encourage private companies to build, launch and operate spacecraft for NASA and others. Uncle Sam would buy its astronauts a ride into space just like hopping in a taxi.
The idea is that getting astronauts into orbit, which NASA has been doing for 49 years, is getting to be so old hat that someone other than the government can do it.

The report then goes on to say that this will promote better vehicles at a better cost .

The White House has said it will be adding $5.9 billion to the overall NASA budget over five years; Gedmark believes most or all will go to commercial space.
Mike Gold, corporate counsel at Bigelow Aerospace, which is building the first commercial space station and is a potential spacecraft provider, believes the government should have privatized astronaut launchings decades ago.
"It will force the aerospace world to become competitive again and restore us to our glory days," Gold said.

So , what do you think ? Will this work ?

EDIT to add the Source



[edit on 31-1-2010 by Max_TO]

On one hand, It doesn't feel right to have a non government agency be trusted with astronaught lives. On the other, let capitalism do its work and we will more than likely see some amazing things. IMO, this is a step in the right direction. It tells nasa that no more funding until they can produce and will create more private sector jobs.

I fully support this idea

instead of a single draining space agency, every state/company can have some sort of space program...and within record time there will be space station vacations and all sorts...

All I can say is...about damn time...this whole NASA thing has been doing little more than delaying our real space exploration phase.

ok Virgin, your on...get to it.

I do however think that NASA should continue to exist, but only for frontier missions...aka, mars missions, beyond, etc...and help facilitate other companys with whatever they may need without getting in their way.

If this change does take place how long until we see some promising results ?

Any guesses ?

Thread already in progress.

www.abovetopsecret.com...



I think letting companies like SpaceX take over when possible is great. I also think it was the plan from day one (more on that in the other thread).

The BIG problem I have with this though is that he supposedly wants to not go back to the Moon and instead do... well nothing. One of the best parts about turnning some of this stuff over to private enterprise is that we could get back to the original time table set out by constellation. Instaed of going back to the Moon in 20 or 30 years we could go back in less than a decade. But unfortunately Obama doesn't want to do anything. No vision, no plan, no future! Just more weather sats.

Or at least that's what all the articles I'm seeing are saying. I guess we'll know for sure exactly what the plan is on Monday. Untill then all we can do is "hope"

reply to post by Max_TO


Moving towards commercial space flight is definitely the way to go in my opinion. There will still be a need for Government funded space exploration, but when it comes to things like hauling crew and cargo into LEO. The commercial side can take over that role as it has become rather routine.

I believe this should also help save NASA some money, since they won't have to be paying for the development, construction or the constant maintenance of a spacecraft themselves. They'll just need pay for the launch costs.

Now let's just hope SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Dragon capsule are able to progress without any serious problems. And the latest news about the first Falcon 9 launch says should happen sometime between March and May. Here's a recent article from Spaceflight now for anyone interested.

[edit on 1-2-2010 by jra]

reply to post by jra


found this on the article u posted

After the engine test, which is expected to last a few seconds, SpaceX will move the rocket back to the hangar for the final installation of the the vehicle's self-destruct system that would terminate the flight if problems developed during launch.

why would u need a self destruct button, ill definitly keep my eye on this

Originally posted by Max_TO
So , what do you think ? Will this work ?

This is the future!

The ESA has been doing this for the past decade and have laid the groundwork to take over in robotics exploration of space over the next decade.

Privatization of the Space race will increase capital investment and remove the "Socialist" element that NASA represents. Therefore speeding up the process to the point of explosion when companies figure out how to make large scale profits from space endeavors while also being extremely cost effective.

Best idea the US have had with NASA for years imo.

Originally posted by Max_TO
If this change does take place how long until we see some promising results ?

Any guesses ?

There are already results. Well, almost. Hopefully there will be results this year.
NASA's "COTS" program (Commercial Orbital Transportation Services) has been in full swing for a few years now, and we may see one of the COTS companies launch a real mission this year.

One of the companies involved -- SpaceX -- already has a spacecraft almost ready to launch (the "Dragon") -- albeit right now it is only an unmanned cargo vessel, but a manned version is planned. Plus they have a launch vehicle (the "Falcon 9"). They are planning to launch a resupply mission to the space station sometime before the end of this year.

NASA has already contracted with SpaceX to provide at least 12 flights to the space station, with an option for more.

SpaceX COTS information:
SpaceX Sets Window for First Dragon Flight to ISS

SpaceX - "Dragon" Cargo Vehicle (and planned crew vehicle)

SpaceX - "Falcon9" Launch Vehicle

SpaceX Homepage


The other company that has been part of NASA's COTS Program for a few years now is Orbital Sciences Corporation (or just "Orbital").

Orbital is lagging behind SpaceX a bit in getting an operational spacecraft, but they plan to make a demonstration Launch sometime in early to mid 2011. Orbital's system consists of the "Cygnus" Cargo Resupply Vehicle and the "Taurus II" Launch Vehicle.

I could be wrong, but I don't think Orbital has any immediate plans for a manned system.

Orbital Corporation COTS information:
Orbital - "Cygnus" and Cargo Resupply System

Orbital - "Taurus II" Launch Vehicle

Orbital Homepage


[edit on 2/1/2010 by Soylent Green Is People]

Oops -- I did not meant to reply. Sorry.

[edit on 2/1/2010 by Box of Rain]

Robert Bigalow has been working on space travel privately for years...check it out..

www.bigelowaerospace.com...

sorry to tell you but NASA is turning it back on space altogether pretty soon. Its all over the news.

www.foxnews.com...

I'm guessing that this is the only way for them to get government funding from Obama, seeing as how 3 days ago these were some of there hopeful future projects that they thought went with Obama's scheme of spending.

www.foxnews.com...

Maybe not all over the news i just saw it on fox and it reminded me of your post. Ill check later when I'm up more


[edit on 5-2-2010 by Pajjikor]