spacetoday.net: NASA makes work assignments for new exploration plan

Posted: Fri, Apr 9, 2010, 11:16 AM ET (1516 GMT)
NASA

NASA announced Thursday a number of new assignments for its various field centers to carry out elements of the agency's new exploration effort, giving no indication that there are any changes being considered for that plan. The announcement assigned responsibility for a wide range of new technology development efforts, precursor missions, and other programs to the agency's centers. Kennedy Space Center in Florida will take the lead in the new commercial crew development effort, while Johnson Space Center will lead the new flagship technology demonstration program, among other major assignments. NASA administrator Charles Bolden said the agency was making preparations to begin these efforts should Congress approve the fiscal year 2011 budget proposal that also cancels the Constellation program. NASA's new plan has been attacked by some in the space industry and in Congress, particularly for ending Constellation, but Thursday's announcement offered no clues that NASA or the White House were planning changes to the plan. President Obama is scheduled to visit the Kennedy Space Center on April 15 to convene a one-day invitation-only space conference there, giving a "major space policy speech" and meeting with members of Congress about NASA's new direction.