Congress Tells Balking NASA: Build That Rocket and Get 'er Done

Responding to NASA's claim that it cannot build a new rocket under the time and budget constraints, congressional members say they won't take no for an answer.

"The production of a heavy-lift rocket and capsule is not optional. It's the law," U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and three other members of the Senate Commerce Committee said in a joint statement.

Earlier, NASA told Congress that a Dec. 31, 2016 target date could not be achieved.

"NASA does not believe this goal is achievable based on a combination of the current funding profile estimate, traditional approaches to acquisitions and currently considered vehicle architectures," the NASA report stated.

Nelson and colleagues Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.; Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas; and Sen. David Vitter, R-La., replied in no uncertain terms:

"We believe it can be done affordably and efficiently -- and it must be a priority."

Stay tuned.