The Augustine Commission – Final Report

The final report of the Augustine Commission (all 155 pages) can be obtained here. The press conference re-iterated the Summary Report. Now we can digest the report and see what happens.

Table of Contents
Preface	7
Executive Summary	9
Chapter 1.0 Introduction	19
Chapter 2.0 US Human Spaceflight: Historical Review	27
Chapter 3.0 Goals and Future Destinations for Exploration	33
3.1 Goals for Exploration	33
3.2 Overview of Destinations and Approach	33
3.3 Mars First	35
3.4 Moon First	37
3.5 The Flexible Path to Mars	40
3.6 Summary of Strategies for Exploration Beyond Low-Earth Orbit	43
Chapter 4.0 Current Human Spaceflight Programs	47
4.1 The Space Shuttle	47
4.2 The International Space Station	51
4.3 The Constellation Program	57
Chapter 5.0 Launch to Low-Earth Orbit and Beyond	63
5.1 Evaluation Methodology for Launch Vehicles	63
5.2 Heavy Lift to Low-Earth Orbit and Beyond	64
5.3 Crew Launch to Low-Earth Orbit	68
5.4 Additional Issues in Launcher Selection	72
Chapter 6.0 Program Options and Evaluation	77
6.1 Evaluation Criteria	77
6.2 Key Decisions and Integrated Options	79
6.3 Integrated Options Constrained to the FY 2010 Budget	84
6.4 Moon First Integrated Options Fit to the Less-Constrained Budget	85
6.5 Flexible Path Integrated Options Fit to the Less-Constrained Budget	91
6.6 Comparisons Across Integrated Options	94
Chapter 7.0 Critical Technologies for Sustainable Exploration	99
7.1 Fundamental Unknowns	99
7.2 Propellant Storage and Transfer in Space	100
7.3 In Situ Propellant Production and Transport	101
7.4 Mars Orbit to Surface Transportation	102
7.5 Advanced Space Propulsion	102
7.6 Technology Summary	103
Chapter 8.0 Partnerships	105
8.1 International Partnerships	105
8.2 US Intra-Government Partnerships	107
Chapter 9.0 Concluding Observations	111
9.1 Establishing Goals	111
9.2 Matching Resources and Goals	111
9.3 NASA Management Challenges	112
9.4 Systems Engineering	113
9.5 Procuring Systems	113
9.6 Managing the Balance of Human and Robotic Spaceflight	114
9.7 Concluding Summary	115
Appendices
A Committee Member Biographies	117
B Committee Staff	123
C Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Statement of Task	127
D Charter of the Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee	131
E List of Full Committee Meetings and Locations	135
F Briefers and Committee Contacts	137
G Communications and Public Engagement	141
H Bibliography	145
Glossary Acronyms and Abbreviations	153