GAO backs NASA decision to rely on SpaceX Starship for Moon landing ...

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GAO backs NASA decision to rely on SpaceX Starship for Moon landing ...

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Post by smp »


From SpaceExplored.com:
"SpaceX Starship will officially be the single solution for the first lunar landing mission under NASA’s Artemis program to return to the Moon. This comes after the US GAO backed the decision to use Starship as the lander, stating it didn’t break any laws with the selection. The space agency first announced its decision to land astronauts on the Moon with SpaceX in April, but legal protests from the Blue Origin-led National Team and Dynetics halted progress for the contract."

https://spaceexplored.com/2021/07/30/st ... ar-lander/

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Re: GAO backs NASA decision to rely on SpaceX Starship for Moon landing ...

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Post by Lady Fraktor »


This system is getting a bit complicated.
A rocket to get the crew to lunar orbit and then another rocket to take them to the surface?
Nothing like making something difficult more so.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
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Re: GAO backs NASA decision to rely on SpaceX Starship for Moon landing ...

#3

Post by smp »


Another article from SpaceNews.com:
"GAO denies Blue Origin and Dynetics protests of NASA lunar lander contract"

https://spacenews.com/gao-denies-blue-o ... -contract/

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Re: GAO backs NASA decision to rely on SpaceX Starship for Moon landing ...

#4

Post by notFritzArgelander »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 7:23 pm This system is getting a bit complicated.
A rocket to get the crew to lunar orbit and then another rocket to take them to the surface?
Nothing like making something difficult more so.
That’s how Apollo program worked though.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: GAO backs NASA decision to rely on SpaceX Starship for Moon landing ...

#5

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Maybe I misunderstood but it seemed to read two rockets with a lunar orbit switch?
At least Apollo was self contained.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
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Re: GAO backs NASA decision to rely on SpaceX Starship for Moon landing ...

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Post by notFritzArgelander »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 8:01 pm Maybe I misunderstood but it seemed to read two rockets with a lunar orbit switch?
At least Apollo was self contained.
It's not that much different..... a docking interface could make it essentially the same.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: GAO backs NASA decision to rely on SpaceX Starship for Moon landing ...

#7

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Cost comes to mind, why send one when we can send two!
Do nnot mind me, after today nonsense I am probably just being cynical. ;)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
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Re: GAO backs NASA decision to rely on SpaceX Starship for Moon landing ...

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Post by notFritzArgelander »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 8:40 pm Cost comes to mind, why send one when we can send two!
Do nnot mind me, after today nonsense I am probably just being cynical. ;)
Certainly it costs more this way. Likely the "justification" might be that they want more capabilities for the lander than a LEM like analogue could provide, more cargo space, for instance. Whether it turns out to be a good justification or another government wealth redistribution effort ( ;) :lol:) will depend.....
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: GAO backs NASA decision to rely on SpaceX Starship for Moon landing ...

#9

Post by GCoyote »


SpaceX is proposing to reuse multiple elements of the flight hardware which follows from the systems they already have flying or in advanced development. NASA seems to have gone with the lower technical risk.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
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