1. Monday, May 28, 2012, 2-3:30 PM PDT (5-6:30 PM EDT, 4-5:30 PM CDT): We welcome back DR. JOHN LEWIS to discuss asteroid mining, the Chinese space program and more.

2. Tuesday, May 29 2012, 7-8:30 PM PDT (10-11:30 PM EDT, 9-10:30 PM CDT): We welcome back GARY HUDSON to discuss his G-Lab concept with the Space Studies Institute for a variable gravity research station. See www.ssi.org.

3. Friday, June 1, 2012, 9:30-11 AM PDT (11:30- 1 PM CDT, 12:30PM-2:00 PM EDT) : We welcome back REX RIDENOURE of Ecliptic Enterprises with information on new projects, new developments, and commercial space information.

4. Sunday, June 3, 2012, 12-1:30 PM (3-4:30 PM EDT, 2-3:30 PM CDT). We welcome back JIM MUNCY on space policy issues and developments.

Support in Congress for NASA’s commercial crew effort is becoming stronger despite continuing opposition from some quarters, according to Jim Muncy of PoliSpace.

Speaking on Saturday at the Space Access 12 conference in Phoenix, Muncy said that more Congressional leaders have realized that the commercial crew program is the best and fastest way to restoring the nation’s ability to launch astronauts into space.

Muncy said that although most everyone would like to see a thriving commercial space industry, there are differences in Congress over just how much the federal government should be involved in helping to make it happen.

He also said that the composition of Congress could change in the future as elected officials retire or are defeated. These changes could increase support for commercial programs.

As for the Space Launch System (SLS) designed to launch the Orion Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle, Muncy questioned whether the launch vehicle would get built. NASA plans to launch an unmanned Orion aboard a Delta IV booster in 2014 as part of a flight test. The mission would call into question whether SLS is actually needed for deep space exploration, especially with crewed Orion flights on SLS not beginning until 2021, Muncy said.

NASA is currently spending a combined $3 billion per year on SLS and Orion, despite an effort by the Obama Administration to cancel both programs. Congress decided that the industrial base “needed to be fed,” Muncy said. However, there is only $3 billion available as opposed to the $5 billion that is probably needed.

He said that some projects might not exist in a few years because they are not very cost competitive, he added. A miracle also could well occur in which elected officials decide they actually want a space program that accomplishes things instead of one focused on maintaining the industrial base.

There is a serious debate over how many competitors NASA should support as part of the commercial crew effort. The space agency is currently funding four competitors, and it may eliminate one or two when it awards the next phase of the program this summer.

Some in Congress want a single industrial team to develop a commercial crew vehicle. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has been urging NASA to downselect to two providers. Their concerns include the cost of the program and whether a market exists for more than one system.

Muncy said that inconsistent messaging from top NASA officials has caused concern in Congress. At times, they have talked about having two systems, at other times four or five.

He said that if NASA wants a safe, innovative crew system at a lower cost, it needs to have at least two systems flight tested. If the space agency feels that one of the systems is not ready, NASA could have it deliver cargo until there are enough successful flights to be confident of putting a crew on board.

A robust launch capability would allow the United States to get much more return from its substantial investment in the International Space Station, he added. The U.S. would be able to fly more astronauts and to do so more often. The orbiting facility can support crews of seven instead of the six astronauts aboard it now. The lower number is a result of having to rely upon two Russian Soyuz spacecraft, which have three seats apiece.

On a related issue, Muncy said that Sen. Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation, is concerned about the extension of third party indemnification relating to launch accidents that cause injuries or damage to third parties. Under the system, some of the damage is covered by insurance taken out by launch providers while the government is on the hook for a certain amount.

Muncy predicted that this issue would get worked out. He added that there might be a new commercial space bill introduced in Congress this year or next year.

Jim Muncy
“Some Relevant Government-Industry Interactions”

Current Lobbying Effort

• Eight years ago, various companies and Dennis Tito started an effort to get a clear regulatory regime for government emerging commercial launch industry
• Many different types of vehicles being developed — some with wings, others not
• Legislation enacted at end of 2004
• Industry is starting to lobby for changes to act and additional Congressional actions so industry can grow

• Hesitant to touch the act before they have to because it’s complicated
• FAA has the authority to regulate for the safety of passengers based on observed patterns and data that indicate problems or potential dangers
• At the end of 2012, the limitation that passenger regulations have to be based on observed data — FAA could write regulations based on hypotheses of potential issues
• It doesn’t mean FAA wants to or will write regulations on a looser basis, but govt. agencies due tend to exercise their authority
• Expectation in 2004 that SpaceShipOne and other vehicles would be flying quickly — there was an agreement to limit regulations for 8 years so that data could be accumulated
• Commercial Space Flight Federation and companies are working for an extension of 8 year period — would date from the first FAA licensed flight of a vehicle….
• House Science, Space and Technology Committee wants to hold one or more hearings on commercial space transportation in late April – May — legislation would include a provision for an extension– agree on substance of the measure
• May not get full 8 years

Third-Party Indemnification Issue

• Government has the authority to pay for third-party damages above the insurance by the launch carrier — protects everyone involved (rocket provider, satellite maker, etc.)
• Those writing the FAA legislation felt that if passengers are rich enough to afford a trip into space (suborbital or orbital), they didn’t need any government help in terms of indemnifying them from against suits by third-parties suffering damages from a flight
• Commercial space sector wants to extend protections afforded satellite launch industry to individuals buying seats — will be lobbying for changes in FAA regulations

Annual Space Access Rant

• Quite astounded that his fellow Republicans were rejecting Obama’s plan to privatize space access to LEO…they wanted a public option
• He had a heart problem last year while attending a shuttle launch…not sure where this is going…seems to have impacted on ability to lobby on behalf of Obama’s plan
• Senate bill that became authorization legislation was imperfect but good enough….included key provisions for commercial crew, tech development, and a NASA option for crew vehicle…he thinks that’s good
• Lockheed Martin put its own money up for a Delta IV for Orion launch — want to fly vehicle as early as late 2013 — robotic test flight
• On way to full crew operations in 2016
• Lockheed has put on its website ideas for BEO exploration missions that could be flown in late 2010s that don’t require HLVs
• Will Orion compete for crew and cargo transport to ISS? Not really. NASA doesn’t have enough money to achieve that goal — too expensive
• It’s a good idea for Lockheed to launch Orion in late 2013 early 2014 — proves that you don’t need HLV to launch a human spacecraft…
• We could start exploring BEO this decade using existing rockets or rockets that are available near term — NASA bureaucracy is not telling Charlie Bolden that because it wants a shuttle-derived HLV
• Lots of wiggle room for NASA to say that it is not practical to do a shuttle-derived HLV — budget doesn’t support it, for one reason
• Bolden, bless his heart, is saying that he wants an evolvable launch vehicle, take their time designing it, come up with affordable system
• Commercial and NASA crew can co-exist
• Beyond insane that KSC and JSC are waiting for Marshall to develop a new launch vehicle when that center hasn’t developed anything new since the shuttle in the 1970s

Q&A

NASA Budget in Newly Agreed to Budget

• Senator’s aide who will remain nameless (Senate Launch System) is rumored to be engaging to try to get commercial crew cut from the continuing resolution to fund govt. for next six months
• Shelby’s language will be removed from the CR prohibiting cancellation of Constellation spending

Editor’s Note: The original post mentioned Senator Richard Shelby as being behind an effort to remove the commercial crew funding from this year’s budget.

Muncy never mentioned any specific Senator’s name when referring to this alleged effort. Instead, he was referring to rumors about a nameless aide of an unidentified Senator.

Parabolic Arc regrets the error and apologizes to Mr. Muncy.

This week on The Space Show…

Monday, September 20, 2010, 2-3:30 PM PDT: We welcome Don Nelson of Nelson Aerospace Consulting to the program. Don A. Nelson is an aerospace consultant and writer. Mr. Nelson has consulted with congressional and government offices on NASA issues since his retirement from NASA in January 1999 after 36 years with the Agency.

Thursday, September 23, 2010, 7-9 PM PDT: The Classroom returns with Dallas Bienhoff and Dan Adamo discussing propellant depots and co-hosts Drs. Jurist and Logan. Due to the increaed number of guests and co-hosts, the toll free line will not be available for this program.

Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, 9:30-11 AM PDT: We welcome George Wooden and Luisa Zambrano discussing the upcoming Puerto Rico Space Congress and Auction to the show.

Sunday, September 26, 2010, 12-1:30 PM PDT. Jim Muncy returns to discuss updates with space policy and what is happening in Congress.

NASA recently awarded the Dulles, Virginia-based company with a $170 million contract to develop commercial transport to the International Space Station under its COTS initiative. Orbital Sciences will operate out of Wallops Island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

Jim Muncy of PoliSpace told conference attendees that Florida is trying to convince Orbital to move the program south, according to an account of his talk on Rand Simberg’s Transterrestrial Musings blog.

“You should see the list of things that Orbital wants from Florida to get them to move there from Wallops,” Muncy is quoted as saying. Simberg’s post provides no elaboration.

Muncy also told the crowd that Senator Bill Nelson of Florida plans to introduce legislation to increase COTS funding by several hundred million dollars. The additional funding would help bolster efforts by SpaceX, a California company whose Dragon spacecraft would fly cargo and crews to ISS.

The money also could be used to bring another competitor into COTS to build a human-rated orbital vehicle, he added. The Orbital Sciences vehicle would carry cargo only.

Nelson and other members of Congress are concerned about a possible five-year gap between the end of space shuttle operations in 2010 and the first flight of its successor, Orion. Adding funding to COTS would be a way to close that gap and possibly lure commercial space companies to Florida, Muncy said.