Are there any key tests of Orion or Ares propulsion systems on the near-term horizon?
We are very excited that we just completed the first full-scale test of the jettison motor for the [Orion] launch abort system. That was the first full-scale test of any propulsion on Orion. That program is going very well for us. We will have some tests before long on some of the in-space propulsion elements for Orion as well, and following behind that some of the Ares upper-stage propulsion. The first pad abort test is around the end of the year. Are you concerned about the upcoming political transition and its potential impact on NASA? We really feel very strongly that the vision needs to continue as is. This is the first major change in U.S. space policy in three decades and it’s not the sort of thing that should be changed every administration, and so far that hasn’t been the history. We don’t believe that there is likely to be a huge shift in the nation’s space priority with the change of administration. There may be different views on levels of funding and timing and that sort o
