Posts about Richard Shelby
After AP called the Georgia runoff for Warnock and Ossoff, control of the US Senate has shifted, meaning Senator Shelby will likely be replaced as SAC Chairman. This seismic shift in the Senate heralds many changes for the space effort – some quite favorable to SpaceX…
Europa Clipper
NASA has serious misgivings over using the SLS (Space Launch System) for their flagship mission to Europa, which should be ready to launch in 2024. This stems from the heavy vibration caused by the solid rocket boosters and limited availability of the launch vehicle – early production units have already been assigned to Artemis missions. Senator Shelby has been a staunch defender of SLS hence supports its use for the Europa Mission, because this would broaden its scope beyond the Artemis Program. However, Falcon Heavy could perform this mission at far lower cost and the hardware is already available plus fully certified by NASA. Conceivably Europa might even launch on Starship, assuming it could perform 12 successful flights before 2024, which should fast-track NASA certification. With Shelby relegated from his position of high influence, NASA could feel far less pressured, hence able to make the right choice of launch vehicle for this important mission.
HLS Starship
Currently SpaceX are bidding for a NASA Artemis contract, to build a Human Landing System to ferry astronauts onto the lunar surface, based on their reusable Starship spacecraft. Rather ambitiously this HLS architecture requires a propellant depot in LEO to refuel the spacecraft while on its way to the moon. Previously Senator Shelby threatened serious harm to NASA if they pursued fuel depot development, because that would allow commercial vehicles to perform deep space missions, reducing need for the Super Heavy Lift capability offered by SLS. So it seems a safe bet he now favors competitive bids from “The National Team” or even Dynetics for HLS contracts, basically anything but Starship. However, the senator’s departure implies NASA should be free to award HLS contracts to whoever best suits their long-term needs, which involves building a sustained lunar outpost.
Mars Starship
SpaceX have long sought NASA’s support for its development of Starship, which is primarily designed to land large payloads and crew on Mars. Unfortunately, from Senator Shelby’s position Starship poses an existential threat to SLS, because it’s capable of delivering greater payloads at far less cost, due to full reusability. Hence NASA’s reticence to engage directly with SpaceX’s Mars efforts, not wishing to vex the influential senator, who they are reliant on for funding. Following the election results, that now seems far less of a concern for NASA, who will likely deepen involvement with Starship, as it aligns with their overarching goal for continued Mars exploration.
Space Force
The military have taken tentative interest in Starship, following USTRANSCOM’s contract to study its use for express point-to-point transport. At the moment Space Force is trying to find its feet, including the best means to fulfil its purpose, so not wanting to make waves in this time of political turmoil. When the storm abates, it seems likely they will seek to expand their capabilities inherited from the Air Force, to make their mark. No doubt Space Force are eager to explore the potential of a fully reusable launch vehicle like Starship, because it would help distinguish them as a service and grant much greater capabilities. They could consider much heavier payloads, even to cislunar - and crew missions to service troubled satellites. This might end with regular Starship patrols, to protect strategically important hardware and provide a rescue and recovery service for civil and commercial spacecraft. Starship fits Space Force ambitions like a glove, and with the political block now removed, it seems much likelier we’ll see it become part of their routine operations.
Conclusion
There doesn’t appear any downsides from Senator Shelby’s relegation – at least from SpaceX’s perspective. His departure breathes new life into their prospects for the Europa mission and HLS/Starship funding, with the promise of a great deal more, via deep engagement with Space Force. Likely SLS will persist for a time but the most important thing is Starship now has a reasonable shot at engaging the big players, fulfilling its promise of low cost space access and ensuring our spacefaring future.
To all my fellow Alabamians,
Congress will vote on authorizing $2,000 stimulus checks this Monday. It is expected to pass the House but not the Senate. I urge everyone who can to email and leave voice messages to Senator Shelby's office pressing him to vote in favor of the stimulus checks. The phone number to his DC office is (202) 224-5744 and you can email his office here
If you do contact his office, make sure to stress that you are an Alabama voter
The phone number to your local office can be found here
After AP called the Georgia runoff for Warnock and Ossoff, control of the US Senate has shifted, meaning Senator Shelby will likely be replaced as SAC Chairman. This seismic shift in the Senate heralds many changes for the space effort – some quite favorable to SpaceX…
Europa Clipper
NASA has serious misgivings over using the SLS (Space Launch System) for their flagship mission to Europa, which should be ready to launch in 2024. This stems from the heavy vibration caused by the solid rocket boosters and limited availability of the launch vehicle – early production units have already been assigned to Artemis missions. Senator Shelby has been a staunch defender of SLS hence supports its use for the Europa Mission, because this would broaden its scope beyond the Artemis Program. However, Falcon Heavy could perform this mission at far lower cost and the hardware is already available plus fully certified by NASA. Conceivably Europa might even launch on Starship, assuming it could perform 12 successful flights before 2024, which should fast-track NASA certification. With Shelby relegated from his position of high influence, NASA could feel far less pressured, hence able to make the right choice of launch vehicle for this important mission.
HLS Starship
Currently SpaceX are bidding for a NASA Artemis contract, to build a Human Landing System to ferry astronauts onto the lunar surface, based on their reusable Starship spacecraft. Rather ambitiously this HLS architecture requires a propellant depot in LEO to refuel the spacecraft while on its way to the moon. Previously Senator Shelby threatened serious harm to NASA if they pursued fuel depot development, because that would allow commercial vehicles to perform deep space missions, reducing need for the Super Heavy Lift capability offered by SLS. So it seems a safe bet he now favors competitive bids from “The National Team” or even Dynetics for HLS contracts, basically anything but Starship. However, the senator’s departure implies NASA should be free to award HLS contracts to whoever best suits their long-term needs, which involves building a sustained lunar outpost.
Mars Starship
SpaceX have long sought NASA’s support for its development of Starship, which is primarily designed to land large payloads and crew on Mars. Unfortunately, from Senator Shelby’s position Starship poses an existential threat to SLS, because it’s capable of delivering greater payloads at far less cost, due to full reusability. Hence NASA’s reticence to engage directly with SpaceX’s Mars efforts, not wishing to vex the influential senator, who they are reliant on for funding. Following the election results, that now seems far less of a concern for NASA, who will likely deepen involvement with Starship, as it aligns with their overarching goal for continued Mars exploration.
Space Force
The military have taken tentative interest in Starship, following USTRANSCOM’s contract to study its use for express point-to-point transport. At the moment Space Force is trying to find its feet, including the best means to fulfil its purpose, so not wanting to make waves in this time of political turmoil. When the storm abates, it seems likely they will seek to expand their capabilities inherited from the Air Force, to make their mark. No doubt Space Force are eager to explore the potential of a fully reusable launch vehicle like Starship, because it would help distinguish them as a service and grant much greater capabilities. They could consider much heavier payloads, even to cislunar - and crew missions to service troubled satellites. This might end with regular Starship patrols, to protect strategically important hardware and provide a rescue and recovery service for civil and commercial spacecraft. Starship fits Space Force ambitions like a glove, and with the political block now removed, it seems much likelier we’ll see it become part of their routine operations.
Conclusion
There doesn’t appear any downsides from Senator Shelby’s relegation – at least from SpaceX’s perspective. His departure breathes new life into their prospects for the Europa mission and HLS/Starship funding, with the promise of a great deal more, via deep engagement with Space Force. Likely SLS will persist for a time but the most important thing is Starship now has a reasonable shot at engaging the big players, fulfilling its promise of low cost space access and ensuring our spacefaring future.
Congress will vote on authorizing $2,000 stimulus checks this Monday. It is expected to pass the House but not the Senate. I urge everyone who can to email and leave voice messages to Senator Shelby's office pressing him to vote in favor of the stimulus checks. The phone number to his DC office is (202) 224-5744 and you can email his office here
If you do contact his office, make sure to stress that you are an Alabama voter
The phone number to our local office can be found here
