The Rat

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• Commented on ATK's Congressional Delegation Chats with Bolden and Garver

  So the timeliness of this meeting has nothing to do with NASA HQ (Bolden and Garver) requesting an additional 6 months to "study" HLV architectures and essentially starve current US HSF out of existence?...

• Commented on NASA Reauthorization Bill Provides ATK with a Glimmer of Hope

  So if people don't believe in the same thing you do they should all fail or better yet, die?...

• Commented on Obama Space Plan Under Continuous Assault

  I think we both agree STS is probably the most complicated way to deliver cargo to space and agree that added complexity to make up for poor overall design is never the best fix. Its amazing what cold war funding...

• Commented on Obama Space Plan Under Continuous Assault

  "NASA standards? As in STS? The launch system with two different engine types in an asymmetrical configuration and no launch escape system? Right. Man-rated my ***." Are you suggesting Falcon 9 is superior to Shuttle? Now you're the one smoking....

• Commented on Obama Space Plan Under Continuous Assault

  Valid points. I think we both agree that is Ares just an expensive rocket and there are cheaper, more efficient ways to do the ISS mission....

• Commented on Obama Space Plan Under Continuous Assault

  So you are comparing NASA 45 years ago to Space X today. I admire your dedicate in putting the list together, but doesn't the argument seems just a little silly? I mean, under that logic we could have ended WWI...

• Commented on Obama Space Plan Under Continuous Assault

  I'm amused. Falcon 9 had a successful launch, no question. And for all anyone here knows, did so cheaply. Actual numbers my differ, but I think all can agree it is cheaper than a NASA rocket. That said, I find...

• Commented on This Week in Space - Griffin's Spin On Things

  "Constellation is wrong, overbudget and behind schedule. Space X isn't." I can't let that one slide. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/02/27/221883/spacex-falcon-9-maiden-flight-delayed-by-six-months-to-late-q1.html The inaugural Falcon 9 launch was delayed several times. Heck, their own website still held to the Q1 2009 date until just recently....

• Commented on $100 Million To Aid CxP Employee Transition

  We don't want hand-outs Mr. President. We want jobs. That use to be a priority of yours until Healthcare, and then financial reform, and then a new Supreme Court justice, and then Don't Ask Don't Tell, and than immigration reform,...

• Commented on House Gets Firm With NASA Over Data Request

  I surmise there are no studies, analyses or hearings to support the Administration's "plan", but fear Congress's inaction has made the decision for them.Already hundreds are being affected by the latest salvo from Bolden and Congress has done nothing. Can...

• Commented on SpaceX Wins Half Billion Dollar Deal With Iridium

  Funny. I don't recall making any of those arguments. Take a look at my post history. I guess that's why they call you Crazy Blogger...you just make crap up....

• Commented on SpaceX Wins Half Billion Dollar Deal With Iridium

  Based on what I've seen and heard at SLC-40, Falcon 9 for manned missions will be significantly different. Maybe not from the outside, but there will be significant changes. You are right, probably not a completely new rocket, but by...

• Commented on SpaceX Wins Half Billion Dollar Deal With Iridium

  "so much for the SpaceX haters and doubters who are convinced that the company does not have a viable future independent of NASA." I don't doubt they have a future independent of NASA. I doubt they have a future in...

• Commented on Sen. Nelson Attempts To Formulate a Compromise

  "Do you think it is rational and balanced for a guy from Florida to suggest building the biggest rocket in the world with the Shuttle workforce?" -They are the most experienced workforce for the job and won't be doing too...

• Commented on Here Come The Layoffs

  I've never had a government agency so vehemently bend on ensuring that I lose my job before. There's almost a blood lust aspect to it at this point. An obsession devoid of feeling, logic or compromise. Four more months and...

• Commented on NASA Invokes Anti-Deficiency Act - Will CxP Grind To a Halt?

  Well. When in the demilitarized zone, start making prosthetic legs I guess. Don't worry. It'll all change again in two years or so. After Bolden's stellar performance thus far (politically) I don't see him continuing pass Obama's first term. And...

• Commented on Falcon 9 Nails Orbit - First Stage Slams Hard into Atlantic

  Very nice launch. Congrats Space X....

• Commented on SpaceX Preps for Falcon 9 Launch

  "how did that work at NASA HSF between Challenger and Columbia?" NASA has never had the same fatal error occur twice....

• Commented on Watching Falcons

  "Editor's note: yea, and I also heard that Elon Musk reverse-engineered Falcon 9 from wreckage found at Roswell." Hey, I did preface my comment with "Rumor", unlike most of the posters on this blog. If Falcon 9 is the best...

• Commented on Watching Falcons

  Rumor on the street was that Falcon 9 was given Shuttle batteries for the flight destruct system and possibly some explosive hardware too. Couldn't make their schedule if they didn't. My problem is that it sounds like NASA is picking/making...

• Commented on Let The Layoffs Begin

  "With all the Cx Hardware that is built, where is it?" Being tested. First Stage DM-2 being built up for test: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/multimedia/ares/10_042.html First Stage recovery chutes tested successfully: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/multimedia/ares/drogue_parachute_2010.html Ullage motor development testing complete: http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Marshall_Completes_Ullage_Motor_Development_Test_For_Ares_I_Rocket_999.html Ares LAS system test successful:...

• Commented on Let The Layoffs Begin

  "Its booster is lagging, which means it really has no way of reaching orbit." 3,500,000 lbs of thrust is lagging? There isn't anything (besides Shuttle) that comes close. If that's lagging then we need to get to work on heavy...

• Commented on Let The Layoffs Begin

  I wish NASA could move on. The NASA folks I've spoken to say they have been told to try and stay busy for up to two years as there is no new assigns down the pike. You talk about waste....

• Commented on Let The Layoffs Begin

  @ zarya34 Now that is good, technical data with no spin (hard to come by in these parts). Thanks Zarya34....

• Commented on Let The Layoffs Begin

  @RC "Solid rocket motor debris can shred parachutes. Is that enough?" I'm assuming you are speaking about the LAS and the potential to damage the Orion descent parachutes? That system had a successful test just recently with more to follow...

• Commented on Let The Layoffs Begin

  @FormerObamanaut "No, CxP was a technically flawed program..." Please enlighten me and don't reiterate the over budget, behind schedule talking points. You said technical, let's hear technical....

• Commented on Feedback On Today's Hearing

  @not confused If you want a space program based on buzz words and little else, you might just get it. Us adults in the room what more than poor marketing for our tax dollars....

• Commented on Cool Time-Lapse Video Of Shuttle Processing

  "...answering the questions that have popped up,..." Ask away. Someone might know around here:)...

• Commented on Delta 4 Launch Scrubbed - Again

  Delta IV, Long March, Delta II, Atlas V, Dnepr, Minotaur, Taurus, Ariane, Rockot, Progress launch frequently. What's your point?...

• Commented on COTS Commercial Crew Transportation RFI Released

  Let me get this right. You're using this blog and its posts as a valid source of accurate information? Wow. Enough said. "There's an article posted in here somewhere about how Orion and Ares I and Ground systems integration were...