Mission First, then Heavy Lift

Any rational follower of aerospace activities can’t help but be baffled at current discussions between NASA and members of Congress centered on design and subsequent funding of a heavy-lift launch vehicle — an inversion of accepted, normal practice and unlikely to lead anywhere. As a “make work” program, the initiative is borderline irresponsible. There is no defined mission for a heavy-lift launch vehicle as yet, much less an approved, funded mission. Therefore, even if a heavy-lift program were to be started, it would be an easy target for cancellation during budget negotiations since there is no mission for it. The idea that “We will build it and they will come” is risky at best, especially when billions of dollars are involved.