Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee

{{Short description|NASA group established by the Obama administration to clarify US aerospace's future}} {{Use American English|date=March 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox government agency | type = Committee | logo = Augustine Commission logo.svg | logo_caption = Logo of the Augustine Committee | formed = {{Start date and age|2009|05|07}} | dissolved = {{end date and age|2009|10|22}} | chief1_name = Norman R. Augustine | chief1_position = Chairman | parent_agency = NASA | keydocument1 = Summary report | parent_agency_type = agency }}

The '''Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee''', better known as the '''HSF Committee''', '''Augustine Commission''', or '''Augustine Committee''', was a group convened by NASA at the request of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), to review the nation's human spaceflight plans to ensure "a vigorous and sustainable path to achieving its boldest aspirations in space."<ref name="ostp090507">{{cite web |url=http://www.ostp.gov/galleries/press_release_files/NASA%20Review.pdf| access-date=September 9, 2009| title=U.S. Announces Review of Human Space Flight Plans |date=May 7, 2009 |publisher=Office of Science and Technology Policy}}</ref> The review was announced by the OSTP on May 7, 2009. It covered human spaceflight options after the time NASA had planned to retire the Space Shuttle.<ref name="ostp090507"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2009/06/08/NASA-launches-another-Web-site/UPI-78541244470860/| access-date=September 9, 2009 |title=NASA launches another Web site |date=June 8, 2009 |publisher=United Press International}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/home/index.html| access-date=September 9, 2009| title=Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee| date=September 8, 2009| first=Dennis| last=Bonilla| author-link=Dennis Bonilla| publisher=NASA| archive-date=February 6, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206053825/http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/home/index.html| url-status=dead}}</ref> A summary report<ref name=Summary>{{Cite web| url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/384767main_SUMMARY%20REPORT%20-%20FINAL.pdf| access-date=September 9, 2009| title=Summary Report| date=September 7, 2009| publisher=NASA| archive-date=March 19, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319060544/http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/384767main_SUMMARY%20REPORT%20-%20FINAL.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref> was provided to the OSTP director John Holdren, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and NASA administrator on September 8, 2009.<ref name=status>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/related_documents/what-the-committee-is-doing.html| access-date=September 9, 2009 |title=See What the Committee Is Doing| date=September 8, 2009| first=Dennis| last=Bonilla| author-link=Dennis Bonilla| publisher=NASA}}</ref> The estimated cost associated with the review was expected to be US$3 million. The committee was scheduled to be active for 180 days;<ref name="charter">{{cite web| url=http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/about/charter.html| access-date=September 9, 2009| title=Charter of the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee| date=September 8, 2009| first=Dennis| last=Bonilla| author-link=Dennis Bonilla| publisher=NASA| archive-date=April 8, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408073359/https://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/about/charter.html| url-status=dead}}</ref> the report was released on October 22, 2009.<ref>[http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2009/10/no-nasa-augusti.html Sciencemag – No to NASA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513130114/http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2009/10/no-nasa-augusti.html |date=May 13, 2013 }}</ref>

==Objectives== The review was commissioned to take into account several objectives. These included support for the International Space Station, development of missions beyond low Earth orbit (including the Moon, Mars and Near-Earth objects) and use of commercial space industry. These objectives must fit within a defined budget profile.<ref name="charter" />

Among the parameters that were considered in the course of the review were "crew and mission safety, life-cycle costs, development time, national space industrial base impacts, potential to spur innovation and encourage competition, and the implications and impacts of transitioning from current human space flight systems". The review considered the appropriate amounts of research and development and "complementary robotic activity necessary to support various human space flight activities". It was tasked to also "explore options for extending International Space Station operations beyond 2016".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ostp.gov/galleries/press_release_files/NASA+Review.pdf|title=Office of Science and Technology Policy|website=ostp.gov}}</ref>

==Budget limits== The Statement of Task defines the fiscal year 2010–2014 budget profile (in millions of US$) for NASA's Exploration program as:<ref name="statement">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/356131main_Statement%20of%20Task%20-%20HSF%20review%20-%20Final.pdf|title=Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans – Statement of Task|publisher=NASA|author=NASA|author-link=NASA|date=June 5, 2009}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |- ! Budget | 3,963.1 | 6,092.9 | 6,077.4 | 6,047.7 | 6,274.6 |}

The fiscal year 2009 budget projection for Exploration had been:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/345955main_8_Exploration_%20FY_2010_UPDATED_final.pdf|title=FY 2010 Budget Estimate by Section – Exploration Systems|publisher=NASA|author=NASA|author-link=NASA|date=May 7, 2009}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |- ! Budget | 3,737.7 | 7,048.2 | 7,116.8 | 7,666.8 |}

A subcommittee in the House of Representatives has announced a plan to cut the 2010 budget from US3,963.1 million to $3,293.2 million, a cut of $669.9 million or 16.9%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/news/090608-nasa-budget.html|title=Lawmakers Slash $670 Million From NASA Budget Request|publisher=Space.com|author=Amy Klamper|date=June 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/CJSFY10SubSummary06-04-09.pdf|title=Subcommittee Recommendation – Summary Table|publisher=House of Representatives|author=Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies|date=June 4, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625021758/http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/CJSFY10SubSummary06-04-09.pdf|archive-date=June 25, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Chairman Alan Mollohan stated the cut was a "pause" and "time-out" caused by the review of human space flight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/CJS-FY10-06-04-09.pdf |title=Opening Statement of Chairman Mollohan |publisher=House of Representatives |work=House.gov |first=Alan |last=Mollohan |author-link=Alan Mollohan |date=June 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617083122/http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/CJS-FY10-06-04-09.pdf |archive-date=June 17, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

==Findings== The Committee has concluded that, "the ultimate goal of human exploration is to chart a path for human expansion into the solar system." It also observed that "destinations should derive from goals," and "human spaceflight objectives should broadly align with key national objectives." Destinations beyond low Earth orbit that were considered by the Committee include the Moon, Mars, and near-Earth objects as well as the moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos. Among these, the Committee felt that "Mars stands prominently above all other opportunities for exploration" because "if humans are ever to live for long periods on another planetary surface, it is likely to be on Mars."

The Committee's final report mentions the possibility of evaluating near-Earth objects for "their utility as sites for mining of in-situ resources."

The Committee judged the 9-year old Constellation program to be so behind schedule, underfunded and over budget that meeting any of its goals would not be possible. President Obama removed the program from the 2010 budget effectively canceling the program. One component of the program, the Orion crew capsule was added back to plans but as a rescue vehicle to complement the Russian Soyuz in returning Station crews to Earth in the event of an emergency.<ref name="NPR">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126023150|title=NASA's Flight Plan Gets Small Course Corrections|last=Stencel|first=Mark |date=April 15, 2010|publisher=NPR|access-date=April 15, 2010}}</ref>

The proposed "ultimate goal" for human space flight would appear to require two basic objectives: (1) physical sustainability and (2) economic sustainability. The Committee adds a third objective: to meet key national objectives. These might include international cooperation, developing new industries, energy independence, reducing climate change, national prestige, etc. Therefore, the ideal destination should contain resources such as water to sustain life (also providing oxygen for breathing, and hydrogen to combine with oxygen for rocket fuel), and precious and industrial metals and other resources that may be of value for space construction and perhaps in some cases worth returning to Earth (e.g., see asteroid mining).

Some of these resources are available on Mars, and perhaps on the Moon, but the Committee report noted the cost and difficulty of "travel into the deep gravity wells of the lunar and Martian surface." It did not emphasize options such as asteroid mining (other than the one mention noted above) or space-based solar power. The Committee report did favor strengthening the private space launch industry, and increased international collaboration.

In its final report, the Committee proposed three basic options for exploration beyond low Earth orbit, and appeared to favor the third option:

* Mars First, with a Mars landing, perhaps after a brief test of equipment and procedures on the Moon. * Moon First, with lunar surface exploration focused on developing the capability to explore Mars. * A '''Flexible Path''' to inner solar system locations, such as lunar orbit, Lagrange points, near-Earth objects and the moons of Mars, followed by exploration of the lunar surface and/or Martian surface, optionally involving the development of a propellant depot.<ref name="Committee Final Report" />

==Obama's choice for the future of the U.S. Program== The review aimed to "examine ongoing and planned National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) development activities, as well as potential alternatives, and present options for advancing a safe, innovative, affordable, and sustainable human space flight program in the years following Space Shuttle retirement". The panel was to "work closely with NASA and will seek input" from the United States Congress, "the White House, the public, industry, and international partners as it develops its options". "It is to present its results in time to support an Administration decision on the way forward by August 2009."<ref name="ostp090507" />

On April 15, 2010, President Obama spoke at the Kennedy Space Center announcing the administration's plans for NASA. None of the three plans outlined in the Committees final report were completely selected.<ref name="Committee Final Report" /> The President promised:

# $6 billion in additional funding over five years # continued investment in private space to provide low Earth orbit access # continued funding for a solar atmosphere probe (became the Parker Solar Probe), further Mars robotic missions, and a follow-on orbital telescope (James Webb Space Telescope) # extend the life of the International Space Station to 2020, allowing it to be used for scientific research # design of a new heavy lift rocket to be ready to start construction in 2015, in order to launch astronauts and material for beyond-Earth-orbit access # crewed flights using the new launcher in the early 2020s # a crewed mission to an asteroid in the mid-2020s # crewed missions to Mars orbit by the mid-2030s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/news/media/trans/obama_ksc_trans.html|title=NASA - President Barack Obama on Space Exploration in the 21st Century|website=www.nasa.gov|access-date=May 2, 2010|archive-date=December 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214131316/https://www.nasa.gov/news/media/trans/obama_ksc_trans.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="aw20110422">{{cite web |author=Frank Jr. Morring |title=SpaceX Might Be Able To Teach NASA A Lesson |url=http://aviationweek.com/awin/spacex-might-be-able-teach-nasa-lesson |publisher=Aviation Week |date=May 23, 2011 |access-date=December 28, 2017 |quote=rely on commercial cargo and crew vehicles to keep the ISS operating at least until 2020}}</ref>

Obama specifically rejected going back to the Moon, saying "frankly, we've been there." Instead he set a series of ever-more-challenging goals to drive technological development.

==Members== * Norman Augustine (chairman), former CEO of Lockheed Martin<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/augustine/racfup1.htm |title=Report of the Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program |work=NASA.gov |date=December 17, 1990}}</ref> * Wanda Austin, CEO of The Aerospace Corporation * Bohdan Bejmuk, former Boeing manager * Leroy Chiao, former NASA astronaut * Christopher Chyba, Princeton University professor * Edward F. Crawley, MIT professor * Jeffrey Greason, co-founder of XCOR Aerospace * Charles Kennel, former director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography * Lester Lyles, former Air Force general * Sally Ride, former NASA astronaut, 1st American woman in space

==Subgroups== The committee formed four work subgroups to examine different aspects of the committee's charter with each providing progress reports by July 2, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/368040main_July2_SubgroupProgressReports-Final.pdf |title=Committee Subgroup Progress Reports |date=July 2, 2009 |publisher=NASA}}</ref>

General Lyles, who also serves as Chairman of the National Academies Committee on the "Rationale and Goals of the U.S. Civil Space Program", led the International and Interagency Integration subgroup.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/CommitteeView.aspx?key=48933 |title=Committee: Rationale and Goals of the U.S. Civil Space Program |publisher=United States National Academies}}</ref> That committee expected to release its final report July 31, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=48933 |title=Project: Rationale and Goals of the U.S. Civil Space Program |publisher=United States National Academies}}</ref> The Shuttle and International Space Station subgroup was led by Dr. Ride. Mr. Bejmuk led the Access to Low Earth Orbit subgroup. And Professor Crawley leads the Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit subgroup.

In the committee's summary report<ref name="Committee Final Report">{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/396093main_HSF_Cmte_FinalReport.pdf |title=Seeking A Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of A Great Nation |author=Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee |author2=Augustine |author3=Austin |author4=Chyba |author5=Kennel |author6=Bejmuk |author7=Crawley |author8=Lyles |author9=Chiao |author10=Greason |author11=Ride |work=Final Report |publisher=NASA |access-date=April 15, 2010 |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216063908/https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/396093main_HSF_Cmte_FinalReport.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> provided to the White House and NASA on September 8, 2009, the panel concluded that human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit was not viable under the FY 2010 budget guideline.

==Meetings== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Date ! Type ! Location |- | June 16, 2009 | Preparatory Meeting, Non-Public | Washington, D.C. |- | June 17, 2009 | Public Meeting | Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/355538main_Federal%20Register%20Notice%20-%20June%2017%20meeting.pdf |title=Federal Register Vol. 74, No. 103 |date=June 1, 2009 |publisher=NARA}}</ref> |- | June 18, 2009 | Site Visit, Non-Public | Dulles, Virginia |- | June 24–25, 2009 | Site Visit, Non-Public | Huntsville and Decatur, Alabama, and Michoud, Louisiana |- | July 8–9, 2009 | Site Visit, Fact Finding Meetings, Non-Public | Hawthorne, Canoga Park and Sacramento, California |- | July 21–23, 2009 | Fact Finding Meetings, Non-Public | Ogden, Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada |- | July 28, 2009 | Public Meeting | League City, Texas |- | July 29, 2009 | Public Meeting | Huntsville, Alabama |- | July 30, 2009 | Public Meeting | Cocoa Beach, Florida |- | August 5, 2009 | Public Meeting | Washington, D.C. |- | August 12, 2009 | Public Meeting | Washington, D.C. |- | October 8, 2009 | Public Teleconference | |}

==References== {{Reflist|35em}}

==External links== * [http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/home/index.html Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206053825/http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/home/index.html |date=February 6, 2010 }} on NASA.gov * [http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/related_documents/summary_report.html HSF Committee's summary report] on NASA.gov * [https://web.archive.org/web/20041015132113/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/home/index.html Human Space Flight] on NASA.gov * [http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/meetings/10_22_pressconference.html HSF final report and findings press conference] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125015405/http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/meetings/10_22_pressconference.html |date=January 25, 2010 }} on NASA.gov *{{Librivox author |id=15085}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Review Of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee}} Category:NASA oversight Category:United States national commissions Category:Reports of the United States government Category:2009 in American politics