Augustine Panel Wants Your Comments

The Augustine panel that is developing options for the future of the human spaceflight program is seeking comments on scenarios identified by its Exploration Beyond LEO subcommittee. Go to the panel’s website to see what options the subcommittee is considering and send in your comments. The subcommittee plans to complete its first round of analysis by the time of the panel’s July 28-30 public meetings.

The subcommittee’s task is to:

“examine the following questions: (1) What are the appropriate destinations and sequences of exploration for human exploration beyond LEO; (2) What should be the mode of surface exploration (if any); (3) What is the strategy within the human space flight program for coordinating human and robotic exploration; (4) What are the assumed launch vehicle(s) to LEO (in terms of mass to orbit and shroud diameter); (5) What are the options for in-space fuel/oxidizer storage and transfer; (6) What is the role that space technology research and development will play; (7) What is our strategy for engaging international partners in the development of the program; and (8) What is our strategy for engaging commercial entities?”