Congress criticizes NASA human spaceflight plans
Posted: Fri, Feb 26, 2010, 7:24 AM ET (1224 GMT)
In a series of hearings this week members of Congress criticized NASA and the White House for its new human spaceflight policy the scraps the Constellation program in favor of technology development and reliance on commercial providers. NASA administrator Charles Bolden bore the brunt of the criticism in hearings Wednesday before the space subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee and on Thursday before the House Science and Technology Committee. Members raised concerns about job losses associated with the retirement of the shuttle and the cancellation of Constellation, as well as concerns about relying on commercial providers who have to yet to demonstrate the ability to transport astronauts to low Earth orbit. Presidential science advisor also received similar criticism in a pair of separate House hearings this week. While the criticism raised questions about the willingness of Congress to go along with the new policy, it's unlikely Congress will make any progress on the 2011 budget proposal that contains those changes for some months.
In a series of hearings this week members of Congress criticized NASA and the White House for its new human spaceflight policy the scraps the Constellation program in favor of technology development and reliance on commercial providers. NASA administrator Charles Bolden bore the brunt of the criticism in hearings Wednesday before the space subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee and on Thursday before the House Science and Technology Committee. Members raised concerns about job losses associated with the retirement of the shuttle and the cancellation of Constellation, as well as concerns about relying on commercial providers who have to yet to demonstrate the ability to transport astronauts to low Earth orbit. Presidential science advisor also received similar criticism in a pair of separate House hearings this week. While the criticism raised questions about the willingness of Congress to go along with the new policy, it's unlikely Congress will make any progress on the 2011 budget proposal that contains those changes for some months.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, July 1
Move over Starlink, here comes Kuiper
Gulf News — 4:58 am ET (0858 GMT) USSF Seeks Industry Ideas For Space-Based Interceptors
Aviation Week — 4:57 am ET (0857 GMT) Don’t forget about Iran’s space program
POLITICO — 4:54 am ET (0854 GMT) EU Space Act is ‘orbital equivalent of GDPR’, says lawyer
Luxembourg Times — 4:53 am ET (0853 GMT) Poland’s second ever astronaut is safe in space
Euro Weekly News — 4:49 am ET (0849 GMT) |
