Space policy roundup
Some space policy related items today: /– Looming NASA funding fight creates stress for Alabama lawmakers – Huntsville Times
/– John Kelly: Money goes to canceled projects: NASA required by law to spend millions on contracts – Florida Today
/– Our Views: Heavy-lift trouble: NASA’s inability to meet cost, schedule could sink next-generation rocket – Florida Today
/– Other Views: Private firms could fill the void – Florida Today
> The business model would likely resemble the successful Commercial Cargo Program, with multiple competitors on contracts where payment is based on achieving milestones, not the traditional cost-plus format.
The design would probably follow the Augustine Commission’s concept of many launches of modest-sized rockets with on-orbit fueling depots instead of one huge rocket.
/– Mistrust stalls U.S.-China space cooperation – Washington Post