Toward a New Space Architecture

Finally we're talking about these advanced concepts instead of just big rockets. What a great time to be interested in space.

It will be interesting to see if the Mars Vehicle ends up being nuclear powered or using solar arrays.

Other then needing some national will...the reality is that human exploration of space wont occur until:

1. the cost come down to "SpaceX" levels
2. There is the ability to use local materials to make a vehicle somewhat "smaller"
3. there is a viable space industry which is using vehicles that can be adapted to the effort.

Robert G. Oler

Well,maybe The End is not here.I am sure I heard Mr. Bolden say the 4-5 billion needed for Orion would come out of commercial and I think exploration.He said not out of science.I did not hear anything about technology.Maybe things have changed since the hearing and Orbital will get 3 billion for their foreign parts,except for the Castor motor and payload fairing, Cygnus.

We don't know the cost of "SpaceX" for its current endevour as a cargo LEO supplier (in fact they have not yet delived any cargo), much less for human space exploration beyond LEO. So if you are relying on SpaceX unknown costs for a relatively simple mission to be at the same level as for complex HSF mission, then HSF is doomed.