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I don't have time to look through this since my PDF reader isn't allowing me to search it, but how much of it is allocated to a manned Mars mission that does no

I don't have time to look through this since my PDF reader isn't allowing me to search it, but how much of it is allocated to a manned Mars mission that does not use SLS? I have very low expectations for SLS, and I'd much rather see them support SpaceX's efforts. It does call explicitly for the continued use of SLS. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/09/21/senate-panel-authorizes-money-mars-mission-shuttle-replacement/90793160/ http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/09/21/senat... I do agree strongly with the general sentiment that NASA's goals should not be changed every time we get a new administration, but SLS seems like such a pork barrel project.

ngoldbaum 10y ago
Note as the GP mentioned that this bill comes from the likes of Ted Cruz (Texas) and Marco Rubio (Florida). What government agency do those two states have in common? The space program isn't really about exploring space, it's a jobs program.
erispoe 10y ago
LiftOff[1] hosts had an interesting hypothesis on Elon Musk's mission to Mars business strategy. If SpaceX can land on Mars early enough to convince Congress that they can do it quicker and cheaper than NASA, they can eat NASA's lunch by taking over manned missions to Mars. That would be a huge payoff for SpaceX. [1] LiftOff episode 26: https://www.relay.fm/liftoff/26 https://www.relay.fm/liftoff/26