Never fear however, NASA has the important stuff covered:
The stars have aligned for a special #Juneteenth event!
You’re invited to watch the free online premiere of The Color of Space, an uplifting documentary that tells the stories of Black NASA astronauts determined to reach new heights: https://t.co/sC7VMSkwQd pic.twitter.com/dlJBFdu05c
— NASA (@NASA) June 16, 2022
When we can be our authentic selves, we can achieve anything. This #Pride Month, we celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ+ employees and continue the work to create an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment. pic.twitter.com/WFsZpqI4Vh
— NASA (@NASA) June 1, 2022
Whatever future this nation has in Space will be achieved in spite of NASA.
I wonder how different things might be now had the US contracted with, say, General Motors and Boeing to run the space program instead of taking everything in-house? Could it have been perhaps less wasteful and more effective overall? I suspect so, but I don’t really know enough to reach a firm opinion. OTOH, if it would have looked like the military procurement process, then maybe not. What do others here think?
Astra is a private company, so the repeated fiascos with their launches isn’t NASA’s fault, other than the “lowest bidder” mentality, maybe.
To be fair to NASA, the launch vehicle was made by Astra, a commercial launch company. Astra is a new entry into the small sat market. It is trying to make a small sat launcher that can be quickly setup with minimal launch personnel. Spaceflight Now has some articles about the launch:
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https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/06/12/two-hurricane-research-satellites-lost-in-astra-launch-failure/
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https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/06/10/astra-poised-to-begin-three-launch-campaign-with-nasa-hurricane-research-satellites/
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Astra won a NASA bid for the launch. NASA has been making efforts to foster the commercial space sector. We will have to see how things go for Astra.
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As to Boeing. they are part of the SLS Artemis program that has been behind schedule and has been very costly. Boeing is the provider for the much delayed commercial crew program Starliner capsule that just recently completed its first uncrewed test mission to the ISS. The delays have caused NASA to shift crews and launch contracts to the SpaceX commercial crew Dragon program. There are those who derisively call the SLS the Senate Launch System, and say that it’s Congressional pork. If things work out for SpaceX and its massive Starship and Super Heavy Booster it may be rendered redundant. SpaceX just got a preliminary environmental clearance from the government to move forward on its orbital test launches from out of the Boca Chica, TX Starbase. They will still need licensing for the actual launch. SpaceX is also working on expanding its operations in Florida at the Cape and Kennedy Space Center to support Starship/Super Heavy Booster manufacturing and launch operations. They have a contract from NASA for a moon lander ship based on the Starship.
And because it is Juneteenth, no US mail today. US mail has 10 federal holidays now, including hypocritically keeping Columbus Day (“Native American Day”), and of course 52 Sundays a year.
So basically the US mail is completely closed two months out of the year.
General Motors and Boeing to run the space program instead of taking everything in-house? Could it have been perhaps less wasteful and more effective overall?
About General Motors. Mark Steyn noted that in 2009 they employed 95,000 people and were paying benefits to 1,000,000 legatees.
Instead of watching the Color of Space listen to a rabbit read The Colour Out of Space:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCjOLbDs7OE&t=557s