Two not unrelated pieces on NASAwatch
1) Implication of Congressional elections for NASA
Short version: more oversight of Vision for Space Exploration; may tighten wall again around science;
I'd expect Glenn Research Center to be saved; Marshall and JSC not so favoured any more; GSFC could be big winner.
2) The Ares launcher being developed to launch the new Crewed Capsule is reputedly in trouble.
Underpowered... Easy fix is to stick a couple of solid rocket boosters on the side.
Ooops. Where have we heard that one before...
PS: Mars Global Surveyor is apparently in trouble. It is old, done well, still be a shame to lose it.
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Having blogged from the AIAA conference (it was in the Bay Area 2 weeks before the HEAD meeting) I am very interested in all this. Lockmart is obviously trying to sell a man-rated Atlas V as an alternative to "The Stick" Ares I. The Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) is starting to sound like a horse designed by committee.