Editing Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee

[[File:Augustine Commission logo.svg|right|250px]]

The '''Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee''' (also known as the '''HSF Committee''', '''Augustine Commission''' or '''Augustine Committee''') was a group reviewing the [[human spaceflight]] plans of the United States.  Their goal was to ensure the nation is on "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| accessdate=September 9, 2009| format=PDF| 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 [[Office of Science and Technology Policy]] (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/| accessdate=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| accessdate=September 9, 2009 | title=Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee| date=September 8, 2009| first=Dennis| last=Bonilla |authorlink=Dennis Bonilla | publisher=[[NASA]]}}</ref>  A summary report<ref name=Summary>{{Cite web| url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/384767main_SUMMARY%20REPORT%20-%20FINAL.pdf| accessdate=September 9, 2009| format=PDF| title=Summary Report| date=September 7, 2009| publisher=[[NASA]]}}</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| accessdate=September 9, 2009 |title=See What the Committee Is Doing| date=September 8, 2009| first=Dennis| last=Bonilla| authorlink=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| accessdate=September 9, 2009 |title=Charter of the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee| date=September 8, 2009| first=Dennis| last=Bonilla |authorlink=Dennis Bonilla | publisher=[[NASA]]}}</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]</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 object]]s) 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>http://www.ostp.gov/galleries/press_release_files/NASA%20Review.pdf</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" border="1"
|-
! 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" border="1"
|-
! 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}}</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 |authorlink=Alan Mollohan |date=June 4, 2009}}</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 (moon)|Phobos]] and [[Deimos (moon)|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 did not explain why it thought that human expansion into the solar system must involve a planetary surface.  Others have proposed, for example, building free-floating [[space habitats]] and [[colonization of the asteroids]].  The Committee's final report does mention the possibility of evaluating [[near-Earth objects]] for "their utility as sites for mining of [[In-situ resource utilization|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 (spacecraft)|Soyuz]] in returning Station crews to Earth in the event of an emergency.<ref name="NPR">{{cite news|url=http://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|accessdate=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]] that could involve the private sector and the development of new space-based industries, and meet key national objectives such as energy independence and reducing climate change.  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" />

==Future of the U.S. Program==
The review aims 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 will "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, [[Barack Obama space policy speech at Kennedy Space Center|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 rejected immediate plans to return to the Moon on the premise that the current plan had become nonviable.  He instead promised $6 billion in additional funding and called for development of a new heavy lift rocket program to be ready for construction by 2015 with manned missions to Mars orbit by the mid-2030s.<ref>[http://www.nasa.gov/news/media/trans/obama_ksc_trans.html President Barack Obama on Space Exploration in the 21st Century]</ref>

==Members==
* [[Norman Ralph Augustine|Norman Augustine]] (chairman), former CEO of Lockheed Martin, former chairman of the [[Advisory Committee on the Future of the United States Space Program]]<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
* [[Jeff Greason|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 [[Lester Lyles|Lyles]], who also serves as Chairman of the [[United States National Academies|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. [[Sally Ride|Ride]]. Mr. [[Bohdan Bejmuk|Bejmuk]] led the Access to Low Earth Orbit subgroup. And Professor [[Edward F. Crawley|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|accessdate=April 15, 2010}}</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" border="1"
|-
! 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, Los Angeles, California|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
|}

==See also==
* [[Commercial Orbital Transportation Services]]
* [[DIRECT]]
* [[Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle]]
* [[Vision for Space Exploration]]
* [[Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle]]

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

==External links==
* [http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/home/index.html Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee page] on NASA.gov
* [http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/related_documents/summary_report.html HSF Committee's summary report] on NASA.gov
* [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] on NASA.gov

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