Congress Hears Expert Testimony Suggesting That The SpaceX Moon Approach “Should Be Scrapped”.

As a strong believer in rational evidence -- especially when it comes to space science and engineering -- I am very gratified that these concerns are now getting a much wider airing.

Afterall, we are all undoubtedly benefited -- by critical testing of our dubious assumptions, in science.

And so, since this is all over five years behind schedule, once Tangerine 2.0 is gone, a more rational plan will come forward. . . perhaps not involving crews to Mars, at all. [Just as I've long suggested.] Here's the latest, from Space.com:

. . .The former NASA administrator reiterated a previous recommendation he made to Congress, arguing that NASA's Artemis 3 mission, currently planned for 2027, should be canceled -- along with every other Artemis mission -- so NASA and the U.S. government can rethink the whole plan for America's return to the moon.

"We should start over, proceeding with all deliberate speed," Griffin said. "We have lost a lot of me, and we may not be able to return to the moon before the Chinese execute their own first landing. Or we may; space is hard and despite the progress that China is making, mission success is guaranteed to no one. But though we may not win at this first step, we cannot cede the pursuit and leave the playing field to others. . . ."

NASA and SpaceX's current plan for Artemis 3 and other moon missions in the program relies on a complicated in-orbit refueling system. The current moon landing architecture requires a high number of SpaceX Starship launches in order to refuel the lander that would take NASA astronauts to the moon. The exact number still isn't even known, though SpaceX estimates it could require 12 Starship launches to fully refuel the lander. The concept also remains unproven. . . .

Furthermore, Griffin added, the length of time the lander would need to remain in orbit while the refueling flights launch and rendezvous with it would "almost guarantee" the propellant loaded into the lunar lander would boil off before the mission proceeds. "I do not see a way with the current technology we have to overcome those problems, and therefore we should not pursue that line of approach," Griffin said. . . .

There you have it. Please people: pay attention -- and write your Congress-critters, about this.

Truly, let's not waste high millions of dollars in taxpayer money, nor unduly risk precious NASA /crew personnel. We pretty well know this endeavor is as flawed -- as Musk himself. Out.

नमस्ते