Leroy Chiao is a panel member and is requesting input on his blog: http://is.gd/N52u

From JAMES

In order to retain critical skills in the short term, I recommend the STS program be extended, at least until it looks like a viable successor (whatever that may be) is built and has been proven to be flight worthy. In other words, let's not terminate the only viable space transportation system we have until we know for certain that there will be a replacement. Let's not have a gap, or at least let's not have a large gap. STS is safer than it has ever been and continues to complete outstanding missions (i.e. HST servicing among others).

The most obvious next step beyond LEO is the moon. Let's grasp the low hanging fruit and develop an infrastruture there that will be useful for advancing our civilization on Earth and helping us learn to live in deep space.

I feel that going back to the capsule architecture is a step in the wrong direction. I am disgusted by the thought of all the engine hardware that will be thown away every mission. Surely we can do better. I would recommend a lifting body style vehicle instead of a capsule. After all we have all the infrastructure already in place for a vehicle that can make a runway landing.

Longer term, after establishing ourselves on the moon with a permanently crewed research facility, branching out to the near earth asteroids and on to Mars is the next necessary step.

So to sum up, my recommendations are:

1. Extend STS until follow on system is clearly ready

2. Ditch the capsule architecture in favor of a lifting body to land horizontally on the SLF

3. Establish a permanent human presence on the lunar surface

4. Begin crewed exploration of near earth objects and Mars once our permanent lunar presence is established

5. Also, provide support to fledgling commercial space initiatives (space tourism and other commericial ventures)

Thank you for giving us this forum to provide our input.

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