New NASA administrator Charles Bolden, in hiis first speech to NASA employees, told them the Obama administration supports human spaceflight, but that given the current economic situation, the challenge for the agency is to figure out how to return to the Moon and build towards Mars in a cost effective manner. That approach may or may not be good. Penny-pinching in technological development can lead to disaster. On the other hand, if the money situation leads Bolden to pursue international partners in building a lunar base, and further to bring private corporations into the program as junior partners, he may be able to create a model that will serve beyond Luna.
Just to note-- the National Space Society will be well represented in the new NASA leadership. Lori Garver, the deputy administrator, was executive director of NSS for nine years. George Whitesides, another former NSS executive director as well as an advisor to Virgin Galactic, will serve as Bolden's chief of staff.
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