Obama cancels Moon return project

[Ghostrider]

I don't think that NASA needs to design its own launcher or spacecraft for that, it would be enough if NASA sets the specs and buys the stuff from companies as it is required.

Exactly. But the way it looks now, it seems Obama & Co expect the private industry to take the lead and pave the way, which is not exactly what the private industry is willing to do unless they can clearly see a hellaton of dosh in it.

 

[RisingFury]

Exactly. But the way it looks now, it seems Obama & Co expect the private industry to take the lead and pave the way, which is not exactly what the private industry is willing to do unless they can clearly see a hellaton of dosh in it.

If an über-heavy lifter is required, the private industry could easily be paid to build it. The concept isn't foreign, look at the military.

 

[anemazoso]

Exactly. But the way it looks now, it seems Obama & Co expect the private industry to take the lead and pave the way, which is not exactly what the private industry is willing to do unless they can clearly see a hellaton of dosh in it.

Thats not the way it will happen. You will have seed money with matching private investment which is what has happened with COTS. SpaceX has already spent most of the up front cost on development and F9/Dragon has been designed from the begining to NASA's man-rated standards. With the gov as a customer, you have a lot more people willing to invest in the project and SpaceX already sees a market even without NASA, thats why they are developing DragonLab. NASA is one customer, you also have the potential for other countries like Japan, South Korea, Austrailia, etc. as customers. These countries could afford to have a manned space program through private operators which is most of the buisness plan for Bigelow.

 

[Urwumpe]

Of course, you can only really save money this way, if you would have more than three competitors to choose from. Currently SpaceX is not much better as a risk-loving NASA.

 

[anemazoso]

Of course, you can only really save money this way, if you would have more than three competitors to choose from. Currently SpaceX is not much better as a risk-loving NASA.

Orbital Science and LockMart/SpaceDev.... :thumbup: