Is it possible to dramatically reduce the cost of space missions and, if so, how do we go about it? By "dramatically reducing cost," I mean reducing the cost of space missions by a factor of two to 10 or more with respect to what similar traditional missions would cost, with some caveats. Let's recognize at the outset that essentially all space missions are run so as to try to minimize cost and most are well managed and efficiently executed. After all, no one starts out to create a space program that is too expensive and takes too long. If we're looking for essentially the same space mission we built last time, with the same requirements and same rules, it will cost about the same. What we're really after in rein-venting space is trying to achieve the same broad objectives, but much quicker and at far lower cost.
展开▼
