April 3, 2008

An Interesting Hearing Ahead on the VSE

Hearing Charter: NASA's Exploration Initiative: Status and Issues

Live Webcast

"On Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics will hold a hearing to review the status of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Exploration initiative and examine issues related to its implementation.

  • Is NASA's strategy in designing the Orion CEV to first service the ISS and then upgrading it to enable lunar missions the most cost-effective approach? That is, is the upgrade approach, rather than designing a crewed vehicle capable of both missions at the onset, the most cost- effective approach?

  • What would be the effect on the March 2015 Initial Operating Capability (IOC) date for Orion and Ares I if NASA is funded at the FY 08 level required by a Continuing Resolution in FY09? Would this reduced level for Constellation Systems exacerbate the "gap" and if so, by how much?

  • Is it technically and programmatically possible to accelerate the Orion CEV's Initial Operating Capability (IOC) to a date earlier than March 2015 and still maintain a confidence level of 65%?

  • Will the March 2015 CEV IOC date slip if projected Shuttle retirement transition costs starting in FY2011 exceed NASA's goal of less than $500 million?

  • How close is NASA to resolving the Ares I thrust oscillation issue and will this issue have any impact on milestones leading up to the March 2015 IOC date?"


Posted by kcowing at April 3, 2008 10:01 AM

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