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Author
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Topic: [Discussion] Presidential space conference (4/15)
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-12-2010 04:50 PM
   
The White House has issued a media advisory (mostly concerned with credentialing details) that offers a few more details about the events on April 15. On the afternoon of Thursday, April 15 President Barack Obama will visit Cape Canaveral, Florida and deliver remarks on the bold new course the Administration is charting for NASA and the future of U.S. leadership in human space flight.
Air Force One is scheduled to arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility at 1:30 p.m. EDT.A conference will begin with remarks by President Obama at 2:45 p.m. EDT. The opening and closing sessions of the conference are open to the media. The breakout sessions in between will be streamed live on NASA TV. Air Force One is scheduled to depart at 3:45 p.m EDT. (Though not explicitly stated in the release, it would appear the conference will still be underway when Air Force One departs.) |
cspg
Member Posts: 6347
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 04-12-2010 11:55 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
(Though not explicitly stated in the release, it would appear the conference will still be underway when Air Force One departs.)
Hence the appropriate redefinition of this "space summit": The presidential space flyby (NASA Watch).  |
Fra Mauro
Member Posts: 1739
From: Bethpage, N.Y.
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 04-13-2010 08:01 AM
I am a little more than concerned about this summit. I am becoming more convinced that this will be a sweetened version of "my way or the highway." I will personally write a letter of apology to the President if I am wrong. I am suprised the such a smart politician shows no sign of compromise. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1267
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 04-13-2010 09:49 AM
I fail to see what the President will really accomplish with such a short visit. I think a photo opp, a rally for the faithful, a little hand holding for the non-believers and then zip back to DC to deal with other issues.I hope I am wrong. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-13-2010 08:44 PM
Washington Post: Obama speech to outline his plans for returning U.S. to space President Obama will announce plans Thursday to revise and retain some aspects of the discarded Constellation rocket and space capsule system, commit to selecting a rocket capable of carrying astronauts to deep space within five years and allocate $40 million to put together a job-retraining program for Florida space workers who will lose their positions when the space shuttle is grounded next year... One of the specifics will be to use some of the $3.8 billion spent in research and technology for the Orion space capsule to design and build a slimmed-down version of the spacecraft. A White House fact sheet outlining the plan said a crewless Orion would be launched "within the next few years" to the International Space Station on commercial rockets used by the military. It would be tethered there for use as a potential astronaut escape vehicle. In addition, Obama will outline concrete plans to send astronauts to nearby asteroids, to the Earth's moon and the moons of Mars, and to Mars itself. The administration has proposed spending $3.1 billion during the next five years to develop the "heavy lift" rocket needed for that task and will commit to selecting by 2015 which design will be built. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-13-2010 08:46 PM
quote:
Originally posted by alanh_7:
I fail to see what the President will really accomplish with such a short visit.
From the Washington Post report linked above: Obama's Florida speech will be followed by four break-out sessions in which rocket experts and policymakers will discuss how to move the plan forward. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1267
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 04-13-2010 09:27 PM
I may be wrong here. But based on the Washington Post story above, there seems to be some Presidential backpedaling.From the way I read the Post story, if it is true there now seems to be a plan taking shape to keep Orion as a crew rescue vehicle of some sort? To be honest I am not sure what to make of this. I have hopes some of the blanks in this Presidents space policy will be filled in later this week. It just seems there are more questions than answers right now. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-13-2010 09:36 PM
Full (official) details here: Office of Science & Technology Policy fact sheet |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1267
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 04-14-2010 08:46 AM
After reading the technical guidelines of the President's newest new policy it makes it a little clearer.My thinking is, if you are going to develop the Orion as a crew emergency escape system from the ISS, with the idea of perhaps developing into a full service space vehicle, would it not be easier to just develop a full service space vehicle? In the long term would that not save money? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-14-2010 08:55 AM
quote:
Originally posted by alanh_7:
...with the idea of perhaps developing into a full service space vehicle
The idea is for Lockheed Martin to develop Orion into a full service space vehicle at their expense (with NASA investments), and compete alongside other commercial service providers to do the same. The President has revised his plan but still wants to foster the growth of a commercial manned spaceflight industry. |
bcrussell
Member Posts: 77
From: Madison, AL. USA
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 04-14-2010 09:49 AM
The Gemini(IR) spacecraft (Americans in Orbit-50 Years) is scheduled to be completed in the summer of next year. The FAA and NASA will be consulted as the construction is underway. |
Glint
Member Posts: 1116
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 04-14-2010 10:07 AM
President Obama will announce plans Thursday to revise and retain some aspects of the discarded Constellation rocket and space capsule system...to use some of the $3.8 billion spent in research and technology for the Orion space capsule to design and build a slimmed-down version of the spacecraft. How innovative! Slim it down to what, this? |
LCDR Scott Schneeweis
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 04-14-2010 10:59 AM
As a dedicated lifeboat, tasked for emergent evacuation and return of the crew under scenario's and conditions which wouldn't be precisely known until the actual event, Orion is really not well suited - primarily because of the current designs incompatibility with land based recovery. Elapsed period between ISS undocking, splashdown and engagement by maritime recovery forces could be on the order of days. The original CRV concept included the ability to fly to designated land based recovery points offering more responsive support to hazarded crews.
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jimsz
Member Posts: 644
From:
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 04-14-2010 11:59 AM
quote:
Originally posted by alanh_7:
From the way I read the Post story, if it is true there now seems to be a plan taking shape to keep Orion as a crew rescue vehicle of some sort?
What I don't get is that the ISS has a relatively short lifespan, there is currently rescue/evacuation procedures in place from the Russians. What is the purpose of spending money, time and energy and duplicating what is already available?Seems like NASA is just spinning it's wheels pouring money down a bottomless pit. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-14-2010 12:14 PM
quote:
Originally posted by jimsz:
...ISS has a relatively short lifespan, there is currently rescue/evacuation procedures in place from the Russians.
The current proposal extends U.S. ISS operations through 2020, but the partners, including NASA, are already discussing another extension to 2028. The desire is to reduce reliance on Russia while also providing a test bed by which to further develop a crew exploration vehicle. |
jimsz
Member Posts: 644
From:
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 04-14-2010 03:29 PM
So, we are then throwing more money at an aging program (ISS) which we pay the largest amount towards, duplicating capabilities already present (escape vehicle) all for a program that has no definitive goals of leaving earth orbit.I can't imagine why Americans are not enthused about space. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-14-2010 06:27 PM
More details about tomorrow's conference at Kennedy Space Center. |
jimsz
Member Posts: 644
From:
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 04-14-2010 08:52 PM
Anyone want to pick how many times Obama will mention: - Jobs
- Bold
- Goals
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-15-2010 08:38 AM
It is now being reported that Buzz Aldrin is accompanying the President aboard Air Force One to Kennedy Space Center. Aldrin yesterday released a new statement supporting President Obama's plan for NASA in apparent response to the earlier open letters (1, 2) endorsed by many of his fellow Apollo astronauts prior to the White House releasing their revised policy. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-15-2010 12:22 PM
A brief history of Presidential visits to Kennedy Space Center (source: NASA): - April 15, 2010: Barack Obama attends space conference.
- Oct. 29, 1998: Bill Clinton visited for Sen. John Glenn's space shuttle launch.
- Oct. 1, 1978: Jimmy Carter celebrated NASA's 20th anniversary.
- Nov. 14, 1969: Richard Nixon visited for Apollo 12 launch. He was the first sitting president to witness a NASA launch.
- Sept. 27, 1966: Lyndon Johnson visited with West German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard.
- Sept. 15, 1964: Johnson made an impromptu visit and inspected a booster prepared for launch.
- Nov. 16, 1963: John F. Kennedy visited Cape Canaveral and watched launch of Polaris missile from submarine.
- Sept. 11, 1962: Kennedy and Vice President Johnson toured launch complex.
- Feb. 23, 1962: Kennedy and Johnson awarded medals to NASA leaders.
- Feb. 10, 1960: Dwight Eisenhower visited.
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-15-2010 12:29 PM
Air Force One has landed and taxied to a stop on the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. 
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328KF
Member Posts: 1388
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 04-23-2010 12:54 PM
Some food for thought concerning Obama's visit to KSC (and some great cartoons!)As I surmised prior to his visit, the people most affected by this change of course were apparently kept a safe distance from Presidential earshot. |
issman1
Member Posts: 1106
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 04-23-2010 12:55 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 328KF:
...the people most affected by this change of course were apparently kept a safe distance from Presidential earshot.
They should be happy a major policy speech was made at KSC. The anonymous writer of that article is rabidly anti-Obama and more subjective than objective. |
Matt T
Member Posts: 1372
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 04-23-2010 12:55 PM
Having him come to their place of work to avoid them and treat them with something little short of contempt should make them "happy"?Is there a 'shakes head walking away in disbelief' icon on this board? I really need it right now. |
issman1
Member Posts: 1106
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 04-23-2010 12:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Matt T:
avoid them and treat them with something little short of contempt
Yes, Obama went to their place of work and he laid out a plan for them. That's hardly treating them with "contempt". Would you prefer he just made a speech at the White House? Fact is that some KSC employees would have lost their jobs anyway. At least, there's a firm commitment by Obama to NASA and KSC (whether you like it or not). |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 3047
From: Titusville, FL
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 04-23-2010 12:56 PM
Even though some KSC "would have lost their jobs anyway" is no reason for the President to go out of his way and avoid even making eye contact with a group of loyal workers who have made the space program successful and had lined the causeway between the SLF and the O&C Bldg to see their President.For you to say that demonstrates a cavalier viewpoint from someone with "no skin in the game." I usually agree with many of your posts but that statement offends me. The President made no attempt to see any thing or any one associated with the current shuttle program but made sure to stop by the SpaceX launch pad and admire the Falcon 9 and speak with Elon Musk. The employees who were deliberately snubbed (and make no mistake - that's what it was) have every right to be angry. If you're going to change someone's life have the courage to look them in the eye and tell them that. The speech he made might as well have been made from NASA HQ. I voted for the President because I believed he was the best choice, but as far as space has been concerned, this administration has botched every policy announcement it has made. His plan may very well prove to be the best course of action but those of us on the space coast who don't have a job are not going to get our hopes up like we did in the summer of 2008. We will have to take a "wait and see attitude" because this plan like the last one (Constellation) can and probably will change with every administration. |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 04-23-2010 01:07 PM
'Twas a nice tax paid photo opp. |
issman1
Member Posts: 1106
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 04-23-2010 10:35 PM
quote:
Originally posted by KSCartist:
The President made no attempt to see any thing or any one associated with the current shuttle program
With the final scheduled shuttle flights delayed, I wouldn't be surprised if he returns to KSC to see one of them.In which case, he may yet meet some of those employees. Far be it from me to know what motivates others (let alone the US president), but perhaps a hostile crowd was expected? One need only read some of the childish comments in recent weeks. quote:
We will have to take a "wait and see attitude" because this plan like the last one (Constellation) can and probably will change with every administration.
Now that I don't doubt. In fact, I see NASA's immediate future as a political football match between proponents of the Obama plan and the 'Save Constellation' lobbyists. |
Apollo Redux
Member Posts: 346
From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Registered: Sep 2006
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posted 04-24-2010 05:08 PM
quote:
Originally posted by KSCartist:
Even though some KSC "would have lost their jobs anyway" is no reason for the President to go out of his way and avoid even making eye contact with a group of loyal workers who have made the space program successful and had lined the causeway between the SLF and the O&C Bldg to see their President.
Well said. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3604
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 04-24-2010 05:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by issman1:
With the final scheduled shuttle flights delayed...
Delayed? When did this news break? There's nothing on the KSC launch manifest. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-24-2010 05:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Blackarrow:
Delayed? When did this news break?
At the post-landing STS-131 news conference, shuttle launch integration manager Mike Moses explained that there would likely be delays to both STS-134 and STS-133 as a result of the time needed to process their payloads. It may be that STS-134 and STS-133 will need to switch places on the manifest as a result, but as no decisions have been made yet, the manifest has not yet been updated.Update: A decision has been made. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3604
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 04-27-2010 05:08 PM
Thanks, Robert. I'm now seeing other comments on other threads. It does tend to explain why so many space enthusiasts, even in the States, are contemplating an end to the shuttle program without ever having seen a launch. It has never been easy to plan to see one. I remember a perfect plan which I was putting together in January, 1986, to see TWO launches three days apart (the launches of Ulysses and Galileo). We don't need to dwell on why that didn't happen. I am well aware how fortunate I was that STS-117 went off perfectly, right on schedule, in June, 2007! |
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