$70 Million Per Astonaut?

Last month NASA awarded a $3.5 billion cargo contract to Orbital Sciences Corp. and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX). This should help get the United States through the 2010-2015 period when the shuttles are offline and a new system is being developed. However, to get our astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) during this same period the Russians will be charging $70 million per astronaut. That is one expensive trip. I would rather we consider a private firm such as Space Adventures, which successfully placed Richard Garriott onto the ISS in October 2008. Given the current budget situation, we should be partnering as much as possible with the private sector. We will need the creativity and ingenuity of all interested parties to meet all of the expected challenges.

Note: The image above is the SpaceX Dragon to be used to carry cargo. The craft has also been designed to carry crew, though that is not the mission at this time.

NASA Will Be Part of Parade

Well, while we do not know where the space program fits into the Obama budget priorities (see my earlier posting), at least we know that NASA will be part of the inaugural parade on Tuesday. According to a NASA press release, "The crew of NASA's recent STS-126 space shuttle mission and other agency officials will join representatives from across the country and our armed forces in this historic parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington following swearing-in ceremonies on the steps of the Capitol." A protype rover related to the 2020 Moon mission will also be present for the celebration. Maybe this is the reminder the President will need, though for some reason the President may have a few additional items on his mind.