NASA is considering merging its human spaceflight divisions as it transitions to a new policy direction, the agency has confirmed.
According to a memo distributed to employees last week, Administrator Charlie Bolden has asked leaders of the Space Operations and Exploration Systems missions directorates to report back to him in early 2011 on options for a merged directorate.
"With the upcoming retirement of the Space Shuttle and the likely transition away from the Constellation Program, planning is underway that could lead to NASA's Space Operations and Exploration Systems Mission Directorates merging to create a new directorate to manage the integrated human spaceflight portfolio for the Agency," the memo says.
Read it here, courtesy of Space Policy Online.
Currently, Space Operations handles primarily operation of the shuttle and International Space Station while the exploration directorate has been in charge of implementing Constellation.
The 2010 NASA Authorization Act replaces Constellation with commercial crew and cargo programs and plans to develop a heavy-lift rocket and a spacecraft for exploration.
The memo says a restructuring could more efficiently implement the new human spaceflight portfolio and make it easier to deploy shuttle and Constellation workers to new programs.
It suggests a restructuring wouldn't result in a reduction in civil service jobs, saying that another goal is to "ensure that everyone has a home in the new organization."
Space news and analysis from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral 
16 comments:
OH COME ON!!! Save the civil service jobs! NASA your reality check has bounced! Its the contractors that have done EVERYTHING since the very beginning and your going to cut their throats to save overpaid desk jockeys!! This is truly a sick announcement! its like screw the ones who did and are doing the work!
This is sickening!
In other words, this announcement spells the end of America's manned spaceflight program and outsource it to the Russians and Chinese!!!
Thanks Obama for naming this lame administrator!!!
Nobody is getting screwed. They were PAID as CONTRACTORS to do a CONTRACTED job. The CONTRACTS are ending so why should NASA keep on CONTRACTORS when there is going to no longer be a CONTRACT?
"With the upcoming retirement of the Space Shuttle and the likely transition away from the Constellation Program, planning is underway that could lead to NASA's Space Operations and Exploration Systems Mission Directorates merging to create a new directorate to manage the integrated human spaceflight portfolio for the Agency," the memo says."
Oh that's funny. What Planning could that be? I bet that new merge will be with some Muslim country since NASA's new goals are reaching out to the Muslim world. I can't imagine our astronauts dressed in Islamic robes as part of their new attire. On second thought does anyone know if they wear underwear under those robes? Now that could be interesting to see on our local news. PG news just got rated R & will broadcast only after 10 PM when all the kiddies are supposedly asleep in bed.
The best organizational structure to implement the human spaceflight program was not supposed to include the Islamic terrorists NASA is teaming up with. So why the wars in Afghanistan & Iraq? End the wars, bring our troops home & we'll have enough money for an American space program like it once was intended to be. Someone please send Charlie a one way ticket to Mars. Don't worry, he'll be just fine. He can always come back after we figure out some way to land on that asteroid & visit Mars. Ha, like never. My bad.
Please, make real sure you send Lori Garver with Charlie to Mars, one way tickets.........
HAPPY NEW TEAR EVERYONE !!!
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