Re: 'Remember Beal Aerospace?' by Andrew Beal
A fine rant.
I believe it is the job of the president to set NASA's charter, approved by congress. The "begnin neglect" of NASA's mission statement by every administration has been harmful. NASA has evolved into a jobs program for Texas, CA and FLA primarily. A mission statement is a different beast than a goal to build a space station for example. What IS NASA's role? R&D only? Operations (ISS & shuttle)? Stimulate commercial space development? All of these have half hearted lip service but no clear, overiding imperative from the CEO of the USA.
-philw