[FPSPACE] Ares1/Ares5 or Direct?

[E.P. Grondine]

Speaking about engineering expertise, let's examine this bit of engineering expertise 
by W. Bush's team:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2006/01/x-33venturestar-what-really-happened/

Of course the real reasons for this will come out over time.

My current thinking is that Ares 1 was supported not only to allow Thiokol entry into the commercial launch market, but also as a key launcher for a space based missile defense system, with Ares 5 being a sop to the Zubrin's very vocal manned Mars flight enthusiasts. 

Again, time will tell, as the documents will be released someday, perhaps sooner than some people ever expected.

E.P. Grondine
Man and Impact in the Americas

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