Hearing is starting. Sbcmte Chair Sen Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) points out New Hampshire is also a space station. Alan Shepard and Christa McAuliffe were from NH; U of NH has highly regarded heliophysics program; etc.
Shaheen: this budget steps up commitment to Earth science, sustainable aviation, science. Artemis: NASA blaming Congress for need to choose only a contractor "really rings hollow."
Shaheen: a lot on your plate, Mr. Administrator, and we are ready to work with you.
Ranking member (and prior chm) Sen Jerry Moran (R-KS): I'm an authorizer as well as an appropriator. Look forward to being a partner with you.
Nelson: this morning I went to Russia and I came back [LOL]. Then had call with Rogozin. Long standing coop shows what can be done when you reach beyond politics. I'm not going to drone on and on like some witnesses, I'll let you ask questions. But here's a couple of stories....
space *state* not station
Nelson: very impt decisions have to be made about us getting to the Moon and landing safely with goal of 2024, keeping in mind what China is doing. Tomorrow afternoon will be announcement from GLEX conference bt Russia and China. Interesting to tune in.
Shaheen: Need HLS competition.
Nelson: yes, need two. NASA req $3.4B for this yr, got $850M. Dynetics bid $8.5-9B. Blue Origin $6B. SpaceX $3B. NASA picked just one before I arrived.
I suggest you consider addl $ this yr, maybe in jobs bill. And for NASA facilities, too.
Nelson: yes, need two. NASA req $3.4B for this yr, got $850M. Dynetics bid $8.5-9B. Blue Origin $6B. SpaceX $3B. NASA picked just one before I arrived.
I suggest you consider addl $ this yr, maybe in jobs bill. And for NASA facilities, too.
Nelson: we're not talking about going to the Moon for one landing. Will be more landings and they need to be competed. But if GAO throws out this award, we have to go back to beginning and will need resources to do vigorous competition. I suggest $ in jobs bill.
Shaheen: unfortunately we don't have jurisdiction over the jobs bills.
Moran: this budget does NOT incl $ to pay for an additional competitor.
Nelson: No.
Moran: this budget does NOT incl $ to pay for an additional competitor.
Nelson: No.
Moran: 2024? It's 2021. If you get exactly what you're asking for, when will astronauts land on the Moon.
Nelson: wish I could give you a precise answer. 2024 is the goal. Space is hard. Must be soberly realistic. But yes, could do with this budget if you do not want competition.
Nelson: wish I could give you a precise answer. 2024 is the goal. Space is hard. Must be soberly realistic. But yes, could do with this budget if you do not want competition.
Nelson again says addl $ could be in jobs bill. Says policymakers like this cmte need to decide how impt it is for us to get back there before China does.
Sen Kennedy (R-LA): is there $ in the budget to restore Michoud and Stennis?
Nelson: will be if you help us. Put in jobs/infrastructure bill. We could only squeeze so much into President's request. NASA needs $5 B to address infrastructure needs.
Nelson: will be if you help us. Put in jobs/infrastructure bill. We could only squeeze so much into President's request. NASA needs $5 B to address infrastructure needs.
Kennedy: role of SLS beyond Artemis crewed missions? Cargo missions? Science missions?
Nelson: all of the above. [goes thru first 3 Artemis missions, then says "Orion 4" mission will have EUS with "first component" of Gateway. [That's not right, actually]
Nelson: all of the above. [goes thru first 3 Artemis missions, then says "Orion 4" mission will have EUS with "first component" of Gateway. [That's not right, actually]
Nelson says he'll be at NASA/Goddard within the next two weeks with @VP Harris and invites Sen Van Hollen (who asked the question) and Sen Cardin to join them.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
