Re: Why?
"Why is NASA persisting with the SLS?"
Well, apparently THAT is the entire issue here. Privatization by using Boeing and/or SpaceX rockets to do the trick is what we're going to get, apparently. And this is a GOOD thing. And, although NASA _does_ use private industry to develop things _like_ SLS, it seems that their way of designing new propulsion systems doesn't work very well any more. It's too slow, is filled with cost overruns and delays, and that's not going to cut it when people don't want to fund you with infinite funds.
The original moon program had a goal and a time frame, and it was tied in with military technology for launching atomic weapons. That was THEN. NASA is now focused on science and research, not RESULTS, and both science AND research extend outwards indefinitely, _ESPECIALLY_ when "science" and "research" are the goal, and NOT _results_.
That being said, NASA still has its purpose, especially for coordinating launches, setting standards, etc.. I think they do really well at those things.
But yeah, let the FREE MARKET compete and produce launch systems that get us the RESULTS, because that's what the majority of citizens seem to want, RESULTS.
[it's like fusion RESEARCH - you get what you pay for - RESEARCH. If it were fusion RESULTS that were being funded, we'd have power producing reactors by now]
icon, because, irony
Biting the hand that feeds IT
