Parabolic Arc

The anonymous author of the RocketsandSuch blog gives an account of a visit on Thursday to Louisiana by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Deputy Administrator Lori Garver that, if accurate, points to stunning changes for future human spaceflight.

An honest question from the audience set the tone. “We’ve got a rocket assembled in the VAB ready for launch. Are we going to launch it?” came the inquiry from a veteran space worker.

“Well, that’s a good question,” said the Band Leader. “Since the program of record will not be recommended by the Augustine commission, I don’t see any point in continuing with the launch.”

Bolden also warned that the future would include commercial operators flying human into orbit, not NASA.

“And you folks should look around and think about what you are going to do with all this infrastructure when NASA gets out of the business of flying to low earth orbit,” the Band Leader continued….

“My former colleagues in Houston will need to think about a coming time where they will no longer be needed to train the way they do for things they currently do.”