Air Force warns of increased launch costs

[unhappycamper]

A Delta IV rocket launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Less demand could drive up costs for rocket propulsion systems used to launch Air Force satellites.


Air Force warns of increased launch costs
By Ben Iannotta - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Mar 12, 2010 10:52:41 EST

The Air Force and National Reconnaissance Office could face major increases in the cost of launching satellites as a result of the Obama administration’s decision to cancel NASA’s shuttle replacement program, a top Air Force official said.

Gary Payton, deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for space programs, told members of Congress on Wednesday that the Obama administration had not asked the Air Force to examine the effects of canceling NASA’s Constellation program before the Feb. 1 announcement.

The military and intelligence community rely on the same manufacturers as NASA to build the rockets that launch their satellites, but the White House plans to turn to commercially owned rockets to launch astronauts following retirement of the shuttle later this year.

Early information shows the price of rocket propulsion systems for the military and NRO “might double” as a result, Payton said.

Lawmakers, including Sen. David Vitter, R-La., are fighting back.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/03/airforce_launch_costs_031210w/



unhappycamper comment: I'm sure glad Vitter's on the job. :sarcasm: