Mike Rogers

What are the risks of this approach?

What are the risks of this approach, and how does this compare with a path that replaces the RD-180?

How will this affect certification?

General Hyten, SpaceX has recently made statements about a higher-thrust engine.

Why is the EELV Launch Capability arrangement in place, and how does this benefit the U.S. Government?

Can the DOD rely on the domestic commercial launch provider market to the meet the national security requirements for assured access to space?

Do you plan to fund an entirely new launch vehicle and all new infrastructure? Do you know what it will, or could, cost the taxpayer?

Ms. Shotwell, you were recently quoted in the media stating that SpaceX is working on a higher-thrust engine.

Mr. Bruno, why are you planning to phase out the intermediate (single stick) Delta IV launch vehicle?

I don't want to build another rocket. That gets us down another pig trail that I don't want to go.

I want to see us come up with our version of the RD-180, the American-made version, and stay within that same technology realm.

Not having assured access to space is not an option from our national security standpoint.

I don't want it to look like at any time that the government is putting their finger on the scale to help anybody, except the government.

I love it when billionaires want to spend their own money to do cool things that help the country, but it's still a business.

I think it is in our Nation's interest.

I hope you get another company in there competing with you all.

Is that an acceptable national security risk, in your opinion?

So, we can't let that happen.

I am very concerned, about this possible window, that we don't have heavy-lift capability. I just am.

I just want you to understand--and I am not picking on you, because, Blue Origin has got all kind of optimistic promises out there, as does Aerojet.

I thank the gentlelady.

Is that optimistic or is it practically realistic?

If everything is successful.

Do you agree that there is the potential, as outlined by Ms. McFarland, that there could be a multi-year period where we would not have assured access to space for the heavy NRO platforms?

Before I stop, I want to go to what Ms. McFarland just described as this potential gap of time when we won't have access, particularly on the heavy-lift...