.....NASA, Lockheed Martin Agree On X-33 Plan !

Just one month before Bush wins the White House~


Atlanta Inquirer
10-14-2000
NASA, Lockheed Martin Agree On X-33 Plan

NASA and Lockheed Martin have agreed on a plan to go forward with the X-33
space plane program, to include aluminum fuel tanks for the vehicle's
hydrogen fuel, a revised payment schedule and a target launch date in 2003.
The launch date is a contingent on Lockheed Martin's ability to compete and
win additional funding under the Space Launch Initiative. NASA and Lockheed
believe it is critical to continue work to solve the last remaining barrier
to low-cost, reliable access to space.
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-79131028.html



And just a couple months later....just after Bush takes office.

First posted March 1, 2001

WASHINGTON -- NASA announced Thursday that the problem-plagued X-33 spaceplane
project, a venture that aimed to create a single-stage-to-orbit spaceliner, has
been scrapped. In addition, the American space agency announced that another
reusable rocket, the X-34, is being axed.
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches...el_010301.html



From...."the last remaining barrier", to "problem plagued" in just four months!
Eight million dollars away from a new tank, the 'last barrier', to realizing
reusable low cost to orbit, and it just vanishes into thin air.

Astonishing!

Someone should go to jail for this.


Jonathan

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