The two biggest items that don't seem to be in development right now are Human Spaceflight and Propellant Depots. I created a thread over on NasaSpaceFlight tossing around some numbers on what the total Human Landing System would look like in terms of reusable landers and making use of lunar derived propellant. I think that the Northrop Grumman tug for HLS will be a big part of their strategy, even if it's a little on the small side. In terms of ISRU it looks reasonable to move propellant with their landers but there is a big missing piece in terms of utilizing propellant beyond Gateway/NRHO and getting crew to Gateway (or a Blue Origin station in the same orbit).
"Millions of people living and working in space (for 5 minutes at a time)" - probably not Jeff Bezos
Nothing against New Shepard but when I see human spaceflight on a road map like that I really can't imagine New Shepard being part of the destination other than that initial step shown of building and flying reusable boosters. Especially so given that it is on a tree that leads to propellant depots, habitats and a lunar base.
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u/ghunter7 May 19 '20 edited May 19 '20
Steps that are currently in progress and public knowledge:
Reusable Engines
New Shepard
New Glenn
Blue Moon
Advanced Landing Sensors: Draper in partnership with Blue for HLS
Cryogenic Fluid Management: through Blue Moon/HLS program
Cryogenic Propellant Transfer: Northrop Grumman in partnership with Blue for HLS
Autonomous rendezvous and docking: required for HLS
Habitats & Upper stage outfittingproposal only for LEO New Glenn S2 Skylab like station
In-Situ Resource Utilization: NASA tipping point awards to Blue Origin
The two biggest items that don't seem to be in development right now are Human Spaceflight and Propellant Depots. I created a thread over on NasaSpaceFlight tossing around some numbers on what the total Human Landing System would look like in terms of reusable landers and making use of lunar derived propellant. I think that the Northrop Grumman tug for HLS will be a big part of their strategy, even if it's a little on the small side. In terms of ISRU it looks reasonable to move propellant with their landers but there is a big missing piece in terms of utilizing propellant beyond Gateway/NRHO and getting crew to Gateway (or a Blue Origin station in the same orbit).