NASA's plans for retiring the Space Shuttle program and moving forward with the next phase of spacecraft – at least spacecraft known to the public – are being scrutinized at the highest levels of the U.S. government, according to recent published reports.
As the future role of NASA and its tentative plans are reviewed, it makes sense to also examine the role that private companies can play in the development of commercial space activities.
Commercial space travel and related projects face many challenges. These include requirements for substantial investments, technical and engineering hurdles, government regulations and even increasing amounts of space junk.
Yet, private companies could conceivably play a valuable and important role in future efforts involving diverse kinds of space-related endeavors.
REVIEW OF NASA PROGRAMS
In the public's eyes, NASA continues to be at the forefront of space travel and space activities. At the same time, that agency faces many of the same difficulties as private aerospace companies working on commercial space projects.
For example, NASA's post-Space Shuttle plans will be thoroughly examined in the coming months.
According to a May 7, 2009, Associated Press article, White House science adviser John Holdren plans to review the Ares rockets and Orion capsule slated to replace the Space Shuttle. Norman Augustine, former Lockheed Martin CEO, will lead the review team.
The AP reported that NASA is currently spending $300 million a month on the Ares-Orion projects, also known as the Constellation Project.
NASA's current plans include a five-year gap between the time the Space Shuttles are retired in 2010 and the Ares-Orion systems are rolled out in 2015. Russian rockets and craft would need to be used by NASA during that period.
Part of the mission for Ares rockets and the Orion craft would be to return to the moon, according to NASA. The agency has spent $6.9 billion so far on the moon mission, the AP reported.
Federal budget proposals include $18.7 billion for NASA in 2010.
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