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Keith's note: Word has it that Mark Geyer has decided to cut the Constellation Flight Test Office budget by 75%. This is the same group that recently completed the very successful Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) launch. The remaining budget will only be enough to mothball equipment and facilities. The majority of the team is located at DFRC but the program is managed at JSC.
Constellation Flight Test Office Budget Cut
Geyer is a good man. I'm sure he didn't have much choice if this is true.
I would hope its because they've come to their senses and realized the current Orion configuration is too large, too massive, and is going to require radical change - if it were needed at all which it isn't.
replied to comment from Rocketplanner
| August 6, 2010 7:53 AM
| Reply
Mark has been there since the beginning, starting as Constellation Deputy Program Manager and for the last 3 years, as Orion Project Manager. He deserves much of the credit for making the program what it is.
The Dragon and/or CST-100 will transport astronauts between the ground and spacestations in LEO. A method of moving them from LEO to Earth-Moon Lagrange points (delta-V 3.97km/s), lunar orbit and possibly Phobos is needed. A return path will also be required. Such a spacecraft will have to be designed to permit refuelling whilst protecting the crew against radiation and the propellant against boil-off.
replied to comment from A_M_Swallow
| August 6, 2010 9:25 PM
| Reply
So we are going to take the heat shield and earth landing system to Phobos so that in the year long mission we will use that massive hardware for the last 10 minutes?
Sounds about like taking wings and a rudder into orbit.
Maybe we ought to start thinking about a ship optimized for high altitude, deep space and planetary missions instead of the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes.
An interplanetary spacecraft would allow the USA to demonstrate its technological leadership whilst saving many jobs. The jobs would initially be in development and later in operations when the spacecraft flies.
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If true that's really unfortunate. I was looking forward to the ascent abort test.