This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic NASA Apollo 11 mission, the spaceflight that landed the first man on the Moon. And US Vice President has Mike Pence has announced the administration’s ambitious plans for US space agency NASA to return to the moon within the next five years. But reaction to the unexpected announcement by NASA and associated space companies has ranged from excitement to bewilderment.
Speaking at Alabama’s United States Space and Rocket Centre, Mr Pence described the initial 2028 goal for the next American on the Moon was “just not good enough.”
Pence said: “It is the stated policy of this administration and the United States of America to return American astronauts to the moon within the next five years.
“Some will say it’s too hard, it’s too risky, it’s too expensive. But the same was said back in 1962.”
And Pence directed NASA to use “any means necessary” to accomplish the goal, including adopting commercial vehicles, non-traditional contractor approaches and, if necessary, getting rid of contractors who are unable to meet this new goal.
While both Mike Pence and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said the Space Launch System (SLS) would be an essential part of the agency’s plans to achieve that goal, Mr Pence’s comments about removing contractors appeared targeted at Boeing.
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Boeing’s reported difficulties with developing the core stage of the SLS had threatened to delay the SLS’s first launch to 2021.
The willingness to involve private companies attracted the interest of SpaceX head Elon Musk, who tweeted: “It would be so inspiring for humanity to see humanity return to the moon!” in response to a NASA statement about the VP’s remarks.
Asked later on Twitter if the company’s next-generation technology, including the Starship upper stage capable of landing on the moon, would be ready by 2024, Mr Musk was optimistic.
He said: “I think so. For sure worth giving it our best shot!
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“Would be great to have a competitive, commercial program to build a moon base that is outcome-oriented (not cost-plus), so you only get paid for safe delivery of cargo.”
However, the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, an industry group whose members include many companies involved in NASA’s current exploration plans, struck a cautionary note.
In a statement, it supported the overarching goal of accelerating a human return to the moon and doing so by any means necessary.
The statement said: “Though we support the focus of this White House on deep space exploration and the sense of urgency instilled by aggressive timelines and goals, we also are cognisant of the resources that will be required to meet these objectives.
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“Bold plans must be matched by bold resources made available in a consistent manner in order to assure successful execution.”
Also left surprised by the announcement were other space agencies courted by NASA as partners for its plans.
David Parker, director of human and robotic exploration at European Space Agency, showed a NASA chart from last month showing how SLS and other rockets could enable a human lunar landing in 2028.
He said: “This is NASA’s architecture for getting to the moon when I woke up this morning. Maybe it’s evolved over the course of the day.”
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