Griffin Speaks

At a recent breakfast with Space Transportation Association members, NASA Administrator Mike Griffin defended his approach to implementing President Bush's Moon-Mars program. While acknowledging there were other legitimate approaches to carrying out the program, Griffin argued that, given the constraints on NASA's budget currently and projected over the next several years, his approach will accomplish the goals within those budgetary restraints.

Perhaps more interesting-- since he could be expected to defend his own decisions, as most people would-- were Griffin's views on future lunar exploration. He expects China to put people on the Moon before Americans go back. He also pointed out that Russia held onto its manned space program through some extremely difficult times, and has everything required for a lunar mission except the lander. Given Russia's current booming economy fueled by high oil prices, Griffin thinks Russian cosmonauts could conceivably be on the Moon "within six years." He also expects India to pursue a vigorous space program, reasoning a rising Subcontinent will not allow China to be the only Asian superpower.