Thread by @SpcPlcyOnline

Chairwoman Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (EBJ as everyone calls her) wants an independent review of the Artemis program. It's critical "that we see a path to success" before increasing funding for it. Cmte wants NASA to succeed.

Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) agrees -- need realistic plans, budgets, schedules. Finding extra $10B for second HLS "no easy task." Don't want Senate auth to become an unfunded mandate.

NASA Admin Nelson (who decades ago served on this cmte and chaired its space sbcmt for 6 years): Ppl focus on 2024, but we're sending ppl back to the Moon in 2023. [But not to land that time]

Nelson: I, Melroy and Cabana are making plans so we can move out quickly whatever GAO decides on August 4 about HLS protest.

Nelson: beware China. Second country to successfully land on Mars, sending probes to lunar south pole. Have very aggressive program.

EBJ: China in space for the long term. We need to plan accordingly but doesn't mean we shld pursue unrealistic plan. We need to see the plan for Artemis, Haven't yet and not bc we haven't asked for it. When will we see it?
Nelson: August 4. Once we know GAO decision.

Nelson: the HLS contract award was for one landing, but needs to be a landing each year for a dozen years, so will be many more.

Lucas: is FY2022 request sufficient?
Nelson: more ways than one to skin a cat. I talked to OMB abt getting $ for robust competition for landings over a dozen yrs. Decided to ask for $ in jobs bill.
Lucas points to need for balance among everything in NASA's vast portfolio.

Lucas: use of SLS and Orion beyond lunar missions?
Nelson: Moon is just step to Mars. SLS will be workhorse for future.

Rep Don Beyer, D-VA (chr of the space sbcmt): GAO noted a lot of problems w/Artemis. ASAP has concerns too. Are you sure you want this job?
Nelson: that rpt is out of date. Written before changes were made. I am excited about this job, ready to tackle challenge.

Beyer: NASA's role in space traffic mgmt?
Nelson: we have to be involved. It's our astronauts at risk. Chinese ASAT test debris--human life is definitely threatened in LEO. NASA working on tech to get that debris out.

[Beyer was calling in from the National Cathedral where he's attending the funeral for the late Sen. John Warner. Nelson remarks Warner was a "special mentor" to him in the Senate and he grew to love him. Glad Beyer's at the funeral.]

Nelson is inviting members to come down to KSC to see SLS. [On a "CODEL" -- congressional delegation.] Says it will go in November, that's the schedule, but "we know that space is hard" so always possible will be delays.

Rep Babin (R-TX, RM of space sbcmt): your budget req is less than Trump projections. Cuts $14.5 B over next 4 yrs from expl. For the record are you saying no cuts in Artemis?
Nelson: if we are beneficiary of your generosity, yes. Last yr Congress cut HLS from $3.4 B to $850 M.

Nelson assures Babin that the spacesuit program will remain at JSC.

Rep Gonazalez (R-OH): Gateway is impt. Update? [he represents district near NASA-Glenn where Gateway's PPE is being developed]
Nelson: budget req is pretty good.
Way station to Mars. Also will be place to extend research now done on ISS. I also request you extend ISS to 2030.

Rep Bowman (D-NY): compare use of private contractors in Apollo and now, eg SpaceX [for HLS].
Nelson: we got to Moon in Apollo with private companies. We're just continuing in a different way. [relates story of 2010 NASA auth act and cmrcl crew] That's track we're on.

Rep Waltz (R-FL): China seeking dominance in space. US can't be number one on Earth if we're number two in space?
Nelson: US ought to be preeminent in space.

Waltz: couldn't agree more. So why half billion cut in your budget for HLS [v projections in last Trump budget]? Have you spoken to VP Harris abt when first mtg of Natl Sp Council?
Nelson: you in Congress cut the HLS budget last yr.
I'll be mtg with VP Harris next wk.

Waltz: do you support the Wolf amendment?
Nelson: it's the law and I support it.
Waltz: do you support making it permanent?
Nelson: yes, but also have to find places to work together like space debris. [story of LM5B reentry]

Rep Stansbury (D-NM): I used to work for OMB and on the Landsat program. NASA's role in climate change?
Nelson: $300 M increase in this part of budget and E sci big part of that. Supports Earth System Obs [he calls them "5 great observatories" term once used for Hubble et al]

Rep Baird (R-IN): will Russia stay in ISS if sanctions not lifted? Cost to operate ISS? What will stop Russia from privatizing its part of ISS?
Nelson: I had 3 talks w/Rogozin. Putin spoke "glowingly" abt space when interviewed on NBC. My attitude much changed. Expect cont coop.

Nelson continues: but yes we have to be concerned about Russia-China plans. Have to watch that and if Russia gives China technology.

Rep Perlmutter (D-CO) [as always displaying his Mars 2033 bumper sticker.] How will Artemis get us to Mars in 2033 or so?
Nelson: US doesn't want to be second in anything. Competitors getting aggressive. Will get juices flowing. We have to be trained, and disciplined, and ready.

Perlmutter: $ in jobs bill?
Nelson: NASA has $4-5 B of desperate infrastructure needs. Holes in roof at Michoud etc.
Perlmutter: you'll get great support from this cmte on both sides [D and R].

Rep Sessions (R-TX): is there a document you'll release on your plans for Moon? Need to know. Affects jobs at companies like SpaceX in my district and others.
Nelson: yes, once we know GAO decision. Shortly after that.

Sessions: please come visit Waco TX and McGregor TX where SpaceX is.
[EBJ jokes that Nelson needs to visit Dallas -- her district -- first.]

Rep Foster (D-IL): why no $ in req for nuclear electric or nuclear thermal prop?
Nelson: will have to be. My country boy understanding is we need to speed up trans so can reduce time on surface.
Foster [a physicist]: right, so I expected bigger req. Give program a kick.

Rep. Garcia (R-CA): we've proven cmrcl partnerships (notes SpX recovered 26 flights last yr, 3x as many shuttle flts in one yr]. Whether HLS selection upheld or not, still need $ for follow on landings. Where will it come from?
Nelson: that's up to you.

Garcia asks about funding for sample return part of Mars Sample Return. [He also sits on approps cmte]
Nelson doesn't really answer the Q.
Garcia also expresses support for SOFIA and asks Nelson not to make any decisions about its future before a review is completed.

Nelson has now gotten himself invited to Wisconsin, too.

Rep Gimenez (R-FL): do you think China is in a race to the Moon with us?
Nelson: yes.
Gimenez: why?
Nelson: look at what they're doing and say they will do.

Gimenez: who's get the lunar water?
Nelson: that's why we have the Artemis Accords.
Gimenez: did China sign it?
Nelson: no, nor Russia.
Gimenez: we are in a race and we need to win. When first HLS?
Nelson: depends on GAO.
Gimenez: $10 B shortfall.
Nelson: then it's up to you.

Rep Sherman (D-CA): plan for regular cadence of SLS missions?
Nelson: That's what I hope for. Lunar landings 1/yr to get ready for Mars.
Sherman: Gateway critical?
Nelson: Waystation for Moon, research station, intl, and likely embarkation point for Mars.

In conversation w/Rep Bice (R-OK) who notes Tom Stafford and Jim Bridenstine are from her state, Nelson mentions he saw Tom Stafford yesterday and will have "supper" w/Jim Bridenstine tonight.

Bice: how do we prevent delays like that w/HLS so we remain first?
Nelson: under the law, companies can protest an award. We'll move forward as quickly as we can. Remember you (Congress) are big part of staying ahead of adversaries. Did it for Apollo.

That's it. Almost 3 hours and some members stayed for whole thing, which is unusual. Shows lots of interest.
But no real news. Cmte keeps asking (for years) NASA for an actual PLAN to get to the Moon. NASA keeps saying "later." This time it's wait till after GAO ruling.

Cmte wants to get ppl back on Moon before China gets there. Mbrs don't seem to know about the timeline Russia and China put out last wk showing they're in no hurry. spacepolicyonline.com/news/china-rus…
Nelson keeps pointing out it's up to Congress to provide the money and it didn't in FY2021.