Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation


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"The [Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee] shall conduct an independent review of ongoing U.S. human space flight plans and programs, as well as alternatives, to ensure the nation is pursuing the best trajectory for the future of human space flight – one that is safe, innovative, affordable, and sustainable. The Committee should aim to identify and characterize a range of options that spans the reasonable possibilities for continuation of U.S. human space flight activities beyond retirement of the Space Shuttle. The identification and characterization of these options should address the following objectives: a) expediting a new U.S. capability to support utilization of the International Space Station (ISS); b) supporting missions to the Moon and other destinations beyond low Earth orbit (LEO); c) stimulating commercial space flight capability; and d) fitting within the current budget profile for NASA exploration activities." This is their final report. - Summary by from the Committee Charter

Chapters

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Preface 3:36 Read by KevinS
Executive Summary, part 1 29:32 Read by Availle
Executive Summary, part 2 20:15 Read by Availle
Chapter 1.0 - Introduction 17:17 Read by ToddHW
Chapter 2.0 - U.S. Human Spaceflight: Historical Review 20:35 Read by BettyB
Chapter 3.0 - Goals and Future Destinations for Exploration, part 1 40:46 Read by Lynda Marie Neilson
Chapter 3.0 - Goals and Future Destinations for Exploration, part 2 26:31 Read by Lynda Marie Neilson
Chapter 4.0 - Current Human Spaceflight Programs, part 1 36:04 Read by Patrick McHaffie
Chapter 4.0 - Current Human Spaceflight Programs, part 2 41:13 Read by Patrick McHaffie
Chapter 4.0 - Current Human Spaceflight Programs, part 3 19:52 Read by Patrick McHaffie
Chapter 5.0 - Launch to Low-Earth Orbit and Beyond, part 1 32:46 Read by Maria Kasper
Chapter 5.0 - Launch to Low-Earth Orbit and Beyond, part 2 39:52 Read by Maria Kasper
Chapter 6.0 - Program Options and Evaluation, part 1 36:29 Read by Lynda Marie Neilson
Chapter 6.0 - Program Options and Evaluation, part 2 27:06 Read by Lynda Marie Neilson
Chapter 6.0 - Program Options and Evaluation, part 3 31:56 Read by Lynda Marie Neilson
Chapter 6.0 - Program Options and Evaluation, part 4 33:08 Read by Lynda Marie Neilson
Chapter 7.0 - Critical Technologies for Sustainable Exploration 31:31 Read by J. M. Smallheer
Chapter 8.0 - Partnerships 33:41 Read by Lynda Marie Neilson
Chapter 9.0 - Concluding Observations 25:59 Read by KevinS