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from the One-of-these-days,-Alice...-to-the-Moon! dept.
Trump adds $1.6 billion to NASA budget request to kick start 'Artemis' moon mission
The Trump administration is adding an additional $1.6 billion to NASA's $21 billion 2020 budget request to kick start plans to return American astronauts to the moon in 2024, four years earlier than previously planned, NASA announced Monday. In a surprise announcement, agency Administrator Jim Bridenstine said the revitalized moon program will be named Artemis after the Greek goddess of the moon.
[...] According to a NASA fact sheet, the new budget request includes $1 billion "to enable NASA to being supporting the development of commercial human lunar landing systems three years earlier than previously envisioned. This acquisition strategy will allow NASA to purchase an integrated commercial lunar lander that will transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the lunar surface and back."
Gateway development will be limited to what is needed to make the station a viable staging base for trips to the surface. That will free up $321 million for other moon spending. An additional $651 million is earmarked for the Space Launch System — SLS — heavy lift rocket and Orion spacecraft. Lunar surface technologies and propulsion systems would receive an additional $132 million with $90 million going to robotic exploration and research near the moon's south pole.
[...] The same day Bridenstine talked of the challenge of landing on the moon, Amazon-founder Jeff Bezos unveiled a lunar lander called Blue Moon that could put 6.5 metric tons on the surface of the moon. He said Blue Moon, carrying an ascent stage, could meet NASA's schedule for landing astronauts on the surface by 2024.
Previously: NASA Chief Says a Falcon Heavy Rocket Could Fly Humans to the Moon
Here's Why NASA's Audacious Return to the Moon Just Might Work
Lockheed Martin Proposes Streamlined Lunar Gateway for 2024 Manned Lunar Landing
(Score: 4, Funny) by All Your Lawn Are Belong To Us on Tuesday May 14 2019, @01:53PM (12 children)
In 2025, Trump plans to open the "Trump Selene" hotel. Set along the shores of the beautiful Sea of Serenity, the 25 story building will have all amenities and a planned 36-hole golf course. "It will be the best. I know how to build golf courses, and building one on the moon can't be very different. They tell me the fairways will be HUGE."
In other news, Trump added $3 billion to the NASA budget to figure out how to grow grass on the Lunar surface.
This sig for rent.
(Score: 3, Touché) by JoeMerchant on Tuesday May 14 2019, @02:33PM (4 children)
Nobody (with any sense) expects him to make a profit... but he does know how to do flashy, and a manned moon landing is about as flashy as a President can hope for.
Personally, I'm in favor of this particular boondoggle.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 3, Funny) by JNCF on Tuesday May 14 2019, @07:10PM
It's gonna really backfire on him when the astronauts all die crossing the Van Allen belts and Trump accidentally proves that America never landed on the moon ;)
(Score: 2) by DeathMonkey on Tuesday May 14 2019, @07:28PM (2 children)
Why yes, that really will make a splash for President Elizabeth Warren!
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Tuesday May 14 2019, @07:34PM
Don't kid yourself, even W is going to try to take credit for the next landing.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by isostatic on Wednesday May 15 2019, @08:33AM
While it's Nixon's signature on the moon, I suspect most people think of JFK.
(Score: 2) by isostatic on Tuesday May 14 2019, @03:16PM (6 children)
If Trump committed to building a hotel and golf course on the moon in 2025, and he could be trusted to deliver, then I'd vote for him.
(Score: 2) by cmdrklarg on Tuesday May 14 2019, @04:59PM (2 children)
Problem with that bolded above.
The world is full of kings and queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams.
(Score: 2) by Fluffeh on Tuesday May 14 2019, @10:50PM (1 child)
If Trump came in through the front door, wet and dripping and said it was raining outside, I'd still have a look through the window to make sure.
Sadly, the longer he seems to be President, the more blatant his lies are becoming. It's like he is learning that no, no-one really calls him out for the lies, and if they do, there is enough noise to drown out that lone voice - so he's taking full advantage of the situation.
On the upside, at least China is still paying those tariffs and putting a lot more money into the country, amirite?
(Score: 2) by isostatic on Wednesday May 15 2019, @09:11AM
If Trump came in through the front door, wet and dripping and said it was raining outside, I'd still have a look through the window to make sure.
I'd reach for the suncream. Or a shotgun.
(Score: 3, Touché) by DeathMonkey on Tuesday May 14 2019, @06:18PM (1 child)
Dude can't even handle building a wall on the planet Earth....
(Score: 2) by isostatic on Wednesday May 15 2019, @08:30AM
All walls get melted by zombie dragons
(Score: 3, Touché) by JoeMerchant on Tuesday May 14 2019, @06:29PM
He knows how to lose his Daddy's money really well.
Unfortunately (for his pet projects), spending the taxpayers' money requires considerably more skill, experience, intelligence, patience, finesse, and a half dozen other positive qualities he lacks.
🌻🌻 [google.com]