It was fifty years ago today, on July 29, 1958, that President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation that created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In the half century that has elapsed since that day, the agency has landed men on the Moon and sent robotic probes to land on, orbit or fly past scores of other worlds throughout the Solar System. The information gained through these explorations represents the greatest treasure trove of scientific knowledge ever obtained.
In the long run, historians will look back on the first half century of NASA's history in much the same way that modern historians look back on the voyages of European explorers to the New World from the late 15th Century onward.
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration believes that the next fifty years of NASA's history can be even more extraordinary. On July 29, 2058, perhaps we will be looking back on a half century that saw the creation of permanent human outposts on the Moon and Mars, the beginnings of the transformation of humanity into a space-faring species.
Celebrate today and keep dreaming about tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Committee Director Jeff Brooks Speaks at Nick Lampson Campaign Rally
Jeff Brooks, Director of the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration, was invited by the Nick Lampson for Congress campaign to address the crowd at the grand opening of the campaign's headquarters in Clear Lake, TX, not far from the Johnson Space Center. To a packed room of campaign volunteers and friends, Jeff told them that the Committee had endorsed Congressman Lampson for reelection, which lead to loud and sustained applause.
Jeff reminded the crowd that it was only the visionary leadership of Thomas Jefferson that lead to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Similarly, it was the visionary leadership of John F. Kennedy that lead to the Apollo program. In our own time, we need strong and visionary leadership in Congress to ensure that the space program is not sidetracked or neglected, especially in this time of severe budget pressures.
Congressman Nick Lampson represents that kind of leadership and it is critical for the future of the space program that he win reelection.
Jeff reminded the crowd that it was only the visionary leadership of Thomas Jefferson that lead to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Similarly, it was the visionary leadership of John F. Kennedy that lead to the Apollo program. In our own time, we need strong and visionary leadership in Congress to ensure that the space program is not sidetracked or neglected, especially in this time of severe budget pressures.
Congressman Nick Lampson represents that kind of leadership and it is critical for the future of the space program that he win reelection.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration Joins National Coalition for Cheap and Reliable Access to Space
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration believes firmly that the greatest technical difficulty in the way of creating a space-faring civilization is the enormous cost of launching vehicles and cargo into orbit. Indeed, simply getting from the surface into Earth orbit is by far the most difficult task in most space missions. It has often been correctly pointed out that, if you can get from the Earth's surface into Earth orbit, you are halfway to anywhere in the Universe.
The Committee therefore supports the development of new technologies and techniques whose purpose is to bring launch costs down to such a level that the economic barriers to the development of space are vastly reduced. As part of this, we are proud to announce that the Committee has joined with 13 other pro-space organizations to create the National Coalition for Cheap and Reliable Access to Space.
Jeff Brooks, Director of the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration, said, "We have achieved so many amazing things in the half century since the Space Age began. If we could break the chains of high launch costs by developing cheaper and more reliable access to space, our ability to achieve even more would be increased many times over."
The Committee therefore supports the development of new technologies and techniques whose purpose is to bring launch costs down to such a level that the economic barriers to the development of space are vastly reduced. As part of this, we are proud to announce that the Committee has joined with 13 other pro-space organizations to create the National Coalition for Cheap and Reliable Access to Space.
Jeff Brooks, Director of the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration, said, "We have achieved so many amazing things in the half century since the Space Age began. If we could break the chains of high launch costs by developing cheaper and more reliable access to space, our ability to achieve even more would be increased many times over."
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
NASA Sets Shuttle Launch Dates for 2009 and 2010
What might be termed the "Space Shuttle Era" is finally drawing to a close. NASA has released the targeted launch dates for the Shuttle missions over the next two years. One or two might be added, depending on the actions of Congress in regards to the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, but with the conclusion of these announced missions, the International Space Station will be completed, the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope flown, and the Shuttle can go into honorable retirement.
As the Shuttle program draws to a close, it is imperative that NASA ramp up its efforts on Project Constellation. We need to have the Orion spacecraft and the Ares rockets in operation as soon as we can following the retirement of the Shuttle. Failure to do so could result in a stalled and listless space program, it being very difficult to overcome bureaucratic inertia.
As the Shuttle program draws to a close, it is imperative that NASA ramp up its efforts on Project Constellation. We need to have the Orion spacecraft and the Ares rockets in operation as soon as we can following the retirement of the Shuttle. Failure to do so could result in a stalled and listless space program, it being very difficult to overcome bureaucratic inertia.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration Endorses Nick Lampson (D-TX) and Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) for Reelection
In the first of what will be a series of endorsements in congressional races, the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration has endorsed Congressman Nick Lampson (D-TX) and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) for releection. Lampson represents the Texas 22nd District and Giffords represents the Arizona 8th District.
In his years as a member of Congress, Nick Lampson has emerged as one of the strongest supporters of space exploration in Washington. In particular, he has been a leader of the bi-partisan coalition that is seeking to obtain an additional $1 billion to $2 billion for NASA's budget in order to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and the Ares rocket, so as to shorten the gap between the last flight of the Shuttle and the first flight of Orion from five years to three. He has close ties to the space advocacy movement, regularly appearing at conferences and other events. It is very likely that he will be named as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics during the next session of Congress.
Lampson's opponent, Pete Olson, is also a strong supporter of space exploration. But he lacks Lampson's long experience and track record on the issue. Furthermore, because he will likely be named Chair of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Lampson will be in a much stronger position to positively influence space policy than Olson would be.
Although still a freshman, Gabrielle Giffords has already made a name for herself as a champion of the space program. She has a strong personal connection to space exploration in the person of her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, who recently commanded the Space Shuttle Discovery on its mission to the International Space Station. Like Lampson, she has worked hard to secure additional funding for NASA in order to accelerate the development of Orion and Ares. As a member of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, she is positioned to play an increasingly important role in determining space policy.
Giffords's opponent, Tim Bee, has not demonstrated any particular interest in space exploration as an issue. His campaign did not respond to the Committee's requests for information.
The coming years will see increasingly severe pressures on the federal budget and Congress will doubtless be tempted to reduce funding for space exploration a a result. It is therefore critical that those members of Congress who are champions of the space program, such as Congressman Lampson and Congresswoman Giffords, are returned to Congress in order to fight for a fully-funded space agency.
These two members of Congress are great champions of space exploration and the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration wholeheartedly endorses them.
Stay tuned for more announcements of endorsements in congressional races over the coming months. In order to maximize support for candidates who will support a strong American space program, contribute to the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration at our website: http://www.committee4spaceadvocacy.org/. Every dollar you give helps increase support for a robust and comprehensive American space program.
In his years as a member of Congress, Nick Lampson has emerged as one of the strongest supporters of space exploration in Washington. In particular, he has been a leader of the bi-partisan coalition that is seeking to obtain an additional $1 billion to $2 billion for NASA's budget in order to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and the Ares rocket, so as to shorten the gap between the last flight of the Shuttle and the first flight of Orion from five years to three. He has close ties to the space advocacy movement, regularly appearing at conferences and other events. It is very likely that he will be named as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics during the next session of Congress.
Lampson's opponent, Pete Olson, is also a strong supporter of space exploration. But he lacks Lampson's long experience and track record on the issue. Furthermore, because he will likely be named Chair of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Lampson will be in a much stronger position to positively influence space policy than Olson would be.
Although still a freshman, Gabrielle Giffords has already made a name for herself as a champion of the space program. She has a strong personal connection to space exploration in the person of her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, who recently commanded the Space Shuttle Discovery on its mission to the International Space Station. Like Lampson, she has worked hard to secure additional funding for NASA in order to accelerate the development of Orion and Ares. As a member of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, she is positioned to play an increasingly important role in determining space policy.
Giffords's opponent, Tim Bee, has not demonstrated any particular interest in space exploration as an issue. His campaign did not respond to the Committee's requests for information.
The coming years will see increasingly severe pressures on the federal budget and Congress will doubtless be tempted to reduce funding for space exploration a a result. It is therefore critical that those members of Congress who are champions of the space program, such as Congressman Lampson and Congresswoman Giffords, are returned to Congress in order to fight for a fully-funded space agency.
These two members of Congress are great champions of space exploration and the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration wholeheartedly endorses them.
Stay tuned for more announcements of endorsements in congressional races over the coming months. In order to maximize support for candidates who will support a strong American space program, contribute to the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration at our website: http://www.committee4spaceadvocacy.org/. Every dollar you give helps increase support for a robust and comprehensive American space program.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Recent Congressional Action on Space Exploration
Earlier this week, by the overwhelming margin of 409 to 15, the House of Representatives approved the NASA Authorization Act of 2008. This legislation not only authorizes a substantial increase to the space agency's budget, including an additional $1 billion to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and Ares I rocket, but calls for an extra Shuttle flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the International Space Station.
The massive majority this bill received is a clear indication that the House of Representatives continues to strongly support the long-range plan for NASA to return astronauts to the Moon and then prepare a human expedition to Mars. Even Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), who has been the most public foe of human spaceflight in Congress, voted to approve the measure.
On the other side of the Capitol Building, Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), has repeated her call for an additional $1 billion for NASA's budget. Senator Milkulski, one of the strongest defenders of space exploration in Congress, has attempted to achieve this regularly in recent years. These funds would reimburse the space agency for the costs of returning the Space Shuttle to flight after the Columbia disaster, and would serve the same purpose as the additional $1 billion called for by the House legislation- allowing NASA to accelerate the development of the Orion and Ares.
Between the scheduled retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 and the scheduled first flight of Orion in 2015, the United States will lack the ability to launch astronauts into space. Therefore, during this time gap, we will be dependent upon the goodwill of Russia to send astroanuts to the International Space Station. By accelerating the development of the Orion and Ares, we can reduce this time gap from five years to three years.
These two events show that there is strong bi-partisan support in both the House and Senate for a strong American space program. It has been a good week for space exploration in our nation's capital, but many challenges remain ahead. In order to ensure that progress continues to be made, we must ensure that congressional supporters of space exploration are returned to Congress in this year's elections. Stay tuned for the announcements of candidate endorsements from the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration.
The massive majority this bill received is a clear indication that the House of Representatives continues to strongly support the long-range plan for NASA to return astronauts to the Moon and then prepare a human expedition to Mars. Even Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), who has been the most public foe of human spaceflight in Congress, voted to approve the measure.
On the other side of the Capitol Building, Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), has repeated her call for an additional $1 billion for NASA's budget. Senator Milkulski, one of the strongest defenders of space exploration in Congress, has attempted to achieve this regularly in recent years. These funds would reimburse the space agency for the costs of returning the Space Shuttle to flight after the Columbia disaster, and would serve the same purpose as the additional $1 billion called for by the House legislation- allowing NASA to accelerate the development of the Orion and Ares.
Between the scheduled retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 and the scheduled first flight of Orion in 2015, the United States will lack the ability to launch astronauts into space. Therefore, during this time gap, we will be dependent upon the goodwill of Russia to send astroanuts to the International Space Station. By accelerating the development of the Orion and Ares, we can reduce this time gap from five years to three years.
These two events show that there is strong bi-partisan support in both the House and Senate for a strong American space program. It has been a good week for space exploration in our nation's capital, but many challenges remain ahead. In order to ensure that progress continues to be made, we must ensure that congressional supporters of space exploration are returned to Congress in this year's elections. Stay tuned for the announcements of candidate endorsements from the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
White House Opposes NASA Authorization Act of 2008
Yesterday, the Office of Management and Budget released a "Statement of Administration Policy" which announced that the Bush Administration was opposing House Resolution 6063, the NASA Authorization Act of 2008. This piece of legislation is expected to be voted on today.
The Houston Chronicle has run an informative article on the statement.
According to the statement, the primary reason the Bush administration is opposing the bill is because it mandates additional Shuttle flights to the International Space Station, including one to install the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. The administration is concerned that this will delay the scheduled 2010 retirement of the Shuttle and that the costs associated with it will delay the development of the Orion spacecraft and Ares rocket that will replace it.
A few other items in the bill worry the administration, including the additional funding for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Systems (COTS) program designed to help develop crew transportation. Furthermore, the administration opposes the provisions in the bill that call for continued American involvement with the International Space Station after 2016. The policy statement also raises concerns that the requirement of NASA to initiate discussions with foreign space agencies on certain issues is an infringement on the Executive Branch's authority to conduct foreign affairs.
The policy statement does not directly raise the possibility of a veto (although the Houston Chronicle piece suggests that a veto threat is implied) and expresses a desire to work with Congress to obtain a more satisfactory bill. However, the statement may result in fireworks during the floor debate on the bill, which is expected today.
The Houston Chronicle has run an informative article on the statement.
According to the statement, the primary reason the Bush administration is opposing the bill is because it mandates additional Shuttle flights to the International Space Station, including one to install the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. The administration is concerned that this will delay the scheduled 2010 retirement of the Shuttle and that the costs associated with it will delay the development of the Orion spacecraft and Ares rocket that will replace it.
A few other items in the bill worry the administration, including the additional funding for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Systems (COTS) program designed to help develop crew transportation. Furthermore, the administration opposes the provisions in the bill that call for continued American involvement with the International Space Station after 2016. The policy statement also raises concerns that the requirement of NASA to initiate discussions with foreign space agencies on certain issues is an infringement on the Executive Branch's authority to conduct foreign affairs.
The policy statement does not directly raise the possibility of a veto (although the Houston Chronicle piece suggests that a veto threat is implied) and expresses a desire to work with Congress to obtain a more satisfactory bill. However, the statement may result in fireworks during the floor debate on the bill, which is expected today.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
House Committee on Science and Technology Favorably Reports NASA Authorization Bill
Earlier today, the House Committee on Science and Technology favorably reported House Resolution 6063, the NASA Authorization Bill of 2008. This is means that the bill has successfully navigated its way through the second step in the legislative process.
Representative Phil Gingrey (R-GA) attempted to attach amendments related to energy policy, specifcally the use of "nonconventional oil" resources such as oil shale and tar sands. These were rejected as not germaine to the bill and this ruling was upheld by a largely party-line vote. As far as committee fights go, it was quite tame.
Aside from Gingrey's offered amendments, there was no other discussion and it was voted out unanimously. This is good news, as it indicates that the members of the committee are all behind the bill. The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration will continue to follow the progress of the bill through the legislative process and readers can check back here for regular updates.
Representative Phil Gingrey (R-GA) attempted to attach amendments related to energy policy, specifcally the use of "nonconventional oil" resources such as oil shale and tar sands. These were rejected as not germaine to the bill and this ruling was upheld by a largely party-line vote. As far as committee fights go, it was quite tame.
Aside from Gingrey's offered amendments, there was no other discussion and it was voted out unanimously. This is good news, as it indicates that the members of the committee are all behind the bill. The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration will continue to follow the progress of the bill through the legislative process and readers can check back here for regular updates.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Must-Read Article by Jim Mills of The Hill
Everyone with an interest in promoting the space program should read this article in The Hill by Jim Mills. In it, Mr. Mills describes the lack of awareness of the space program by both our national leadershipand the public at large.
Though he describes himself as a "lifelong, card-carrying space buff," Mr. Mills admits that he was entirely unaware of the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery until he read about it in the newspaper the next day. From this "confessional," he goes on to describe a space program that no longer seems to capture the imagination of the American people, much less the national leadership. Assuredly, there is nowhere near the level of public attention as there was four decades ago, at the height of the Apollo Program.
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves. So Shakespeare has Cassius say to his partner in assassination. Those of us who wish for a strong American space program and who dream of creating a space-faring civilization would do well to look inward and ask ourselves what we could be doing differently in order to bring the magic and grandeur of the exploration of space back into the hearts of the American people. Clearly, what we have been doing for the past few decades has not been working very well.
In addition to its political activism, the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration is working hard to ensure proper media coverage of the extraordinary events taking place in the field of space exploration. But it is also up to every individual who cares about space exploration to do what they can to spread the word. Unless and until the space program again captures the heart of the American people, all of our dreams will remain just that- dreams.
Though he describes himself as a "lifelong, card-carrying space buff," Mr. Mills admits that he was entirely unaware of the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery until he read about it in the newspaper the next day. From this "confessional," he goes on to describe a space program that no longer seems to capture the imagination of the American people, much less the national leadership. Assuredly, there is nowhere near the level of public attention as there was four decades ago, at the height of the Apollo Program.
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves. So Shakespeare has Cassius say to his partner in assassination. Those of us who wish for a strong American space program and who dream of creating a space-faring civilization would do well to look inward and ask ourselves what we could be doing differently in order to bring the magic and grandeur of the exploration of space back into the hearts of the American people. Clearly, what we have been doing for the past few decades has not been working very well.
In addition to its political activism, the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration is working hard to ensure proper media coverage of the extraordinary events taking place in the field of space exploration. But it is also up to every individual who cares about space exploration to do what they can to spread the word. Unless and until the space program again captures the heart of the American people, all of our dreams will remain just that- dreams.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Space Shuttle Discovery Lifts Off for Mission to International Space Station
The Space Shuttle Discovery has successfully taken off from Cape Canaveral for an ambitious construction mission to the International Space Station. Its main task will be to install the main body of the Japanese scientific lab named Kibo (which means "hope"). It will be among the largest and heaviest payloads ever to fly on the Shuttle.
Kibo is the main Japanese contribution to the ISS. Installation of the Kibo lab was begun in March, when the Endeavour delivered the first portion of it to the ISS. Following the Discovery mission, the Kibo lab will be completed when the Endeavour delivers the remaining elements next spring. When completed, it will the largest single module at the ISS and will represent a significant enhancement of the station's scientific capacity.
Among the other items on the mission's to-do list is the installation of a replacement part for the ISS toilet, which has malfunctioned. A broken toilet may not sound like much of a big deal, but it certainly is when you're living in a space station.
Among the many people who flew to Cape Canaveral to watch the launch was Congressman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), a strong supporter of the space program. This particular mission has a personal angle for her, as the Discovery's commander, astronaut Mark Kelly, happens to be her husband. A few other politicians were also on hand for the launch.
Kibo is the main Japanese contribution to the ISS. Installation of the Kibo lab was begun in March, when the Endeavour delivered the first portion of it to the ISS. Following the Discovery mission, the Kibo lab will be completed when the Endeavour delivers the remaining elements next spring. When completed, it will the largest single module at the ISS and will represent a significant enhancement of the station's scientific capacity.
Among the other items on the mission's to-do list is the installation of a replacement part for the ISS toilet, which has malfunctioned. A broken toilet may not sound like much of a big deal, but it certainly is when you're living in a space station.
Among the many people who flew to Cape Canaveral to watch the launch was Congressman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), a strong supporter of the space program. This particular mission has a personal angle for her, as the Discovery's commander, astronaut Mark Kelly, happens to be her husband. A few other politicians were also on hand for the launch.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Committee Director Jeff Brooks Interviewed by Al-Jazeera English
Al-Jazeera English, the international English-language news channel created by the controversial Qatar-based network, invited Jeff Brooks, Director of the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration, onto their nightly news program yesterday to discuss the benefits of space exploration and whether it made sense to fund it.
While the interview was only a few minutes long, the discussions ranged from the benefits derived from space exploration, the question of manned vs. unmanned missions, and the hypothetical challenge of China to American superiority in space. Mr. Brooks attempted to convince his somewhat skeptical host that space exploration is an extremely worthwhile goal that should receive increased funding, that manned and unmanned missions should be viewed as complimentary to one another rather than in competition, and that space exploration provides golden opportunities for international cooperation rather than serve as a theater for international rivalries.
Al-Jazeera English is the third-largest international English-language news channel, behind the BBC and CNN International.
While the interview was only a few minutes long, the discussions ranged from the benefits derived from space exploration, the question of manned vs. unmanned missions, and the hypothetical challenge of China to American superiority in space. Mr. Brooks attempted to convince his somewhat skeptical host that space exploration is an extremely worthwhile goal that should receive increased funding, that manned and unmanned missions should be viewed as complimentary to one another rather than in competition, and that space exploration provides golden opportunities for international cooperation rather than serve as a theater for international rivalries.
Al-Jazeera English is the third-largest international English-language news channel, behind the BBC and CNN International.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Mars Phoenix Lander Successfully Lands on Mars
The Mars Phoenix lander has successfully reached Mars!
Amid a chorus of applause, wild cheering, back-slapping and handshakes at the Jet Propulsion Labratory, the data currently is rolling in from the robotic spacecraft that its entry, descent and landing has gone exactly according to plan and that it has landed in the northern reaches of the Red Planet.
The entire team of the Mars Phoenix mission is to be congratulated for their extraordinary achievement- the sixth successful landing of a robotic spacecraft on Mars in history. The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration wishes them the best of luck in the coming months and has no doubt that they will add volumes to our scientific understanding of Mars.
Amid a chorus of applause, wild cheering, back-slapping and handshakes at the Jet Propulsion Labratory, the data currently is rolling in from the robotic spacecraft that its entry, descent and landing has gone exactly according to plan and that it has landed in the northern reaches of the Red Planet.
The entire team of the Mars Phoenix mission is to be congratulated for their extraordinary achievement- the sixth successful landing of a robotic spacecraft on Mars in history. The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration wishes them the best of luck in the coming months and has no doubt that they will add volumes to our scientific understanding of Mars.
Netroots Nation to Feature Space Policy Panel
When progressive bloggers from around the country descend upon Austin, TX, in July for the Netroots Nations convention, they will discussing many of the great political issues of the day. Among the many events during the convention will be a panel discussion on space policy.
The panel members will include: Lori Garver, who has been an advisor on space policy to the Hillary Clinton campaign; George Whitesides, the executive director of the National Space Society; Chris Bowers, Managing Editor of OpenLeft.com; and Patti Smith, recently retired as the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation for the FAA. The event is being organized by Andrew Hopper, a new media entreprenuer and dedicated space advocate.
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration believes that all grassroots political organizations, both liberal and conservative, need to be paying more attention to space policy as a political issue. Hopefully, this panel discussion is a sign that many political activists outside of the traditional space advocacy movement are becoming more aware of the need for a strong American space program.
The panel members will include: Lori Garver, who has been an advisor on space policy to the Hillary Clinton campaign; George Whitesides, the executive director of the National Space Society; Chris Bowers, Managing Editor of OpenLeft.com; and Patti Smith, recently retired as the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation for the FAA. The event is being organized by Andrew Hopper, a new media entreprenuer and dedicated space advocate.
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration believes that all grassroots political organizations, both liberal and conservative, need to be paying more attention to space policy as a political issue. Hopefully, this panel discussion is a sign that many political activists outside of the traditional space advocacy movement are becoming more aware of the need for a strong American space program.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Mars Phoenix Lander on Course for Landing Tomorrow Night
After a voyage of nearly nine months, the Mars Phoenix lander is scheduled to touch down on the Red Planet tomorrow night. The landing itself will take place around 7:30 EST, with confirmation that the spacecraft survived to come at 7:53. The weather on Mars looks good and all systems on the spacecraft seem to be working perfectly.
The goal of this mission, which is being lead by Peter Smith of the University of Arizona, is to land in the far north of Mars and examine the water and ice believed to exist just beneath the planet's surface. It will also study the weather in the polar region. It is an ambitious mission. Never before has a spacecraft attempted to land so far to the north. Of eleven international attempts to land on the surface of Mars, only five have been successful.
Studying the water and ice deposits on Mars is important for both scientific reasons and for future human missions. It is possible that evidence of past or present life might be discovered in the water and ice. It is also important to gain a better understanding of how much water exists on Mars in order to plan for its use by future human expeditions to the Red Planet, who will need it for oxygen, drinking water, and perhaps manufactured rocket fuel.
If the landing is successful, NASA will have five spacecraft operating on or around Mars: the Mars Phoenix lander, the two Mars Exploration Rovers, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Mars Odyssey orbiter. In addition, the European Space Agency has an orbiter operating around Mars, the Mars Express.
NASA TV will be showing live coverage of the landing tomorrow evening. There is a tradition at the Jet Propulsion Labratory, going back to the Ranger robotic missions to the Moon back in the 1960s, to eat "good luck peanuts" just before a landing, so the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration encourages everyone to tune in to the landing coverage and munch on some good luck peanuts while doing so.
Best of luck to the Phoenix team!
The goal of this mission, which is being lead by Peter Smith of the University of Arizona, is to land in the far north of Mars and examine the water and ice believed to exist just beneath the planet's surface. It will also study the weather in the polar region. It is an ambitious mission. Never before has a spacecraft attempted to land so far to the north. Of eleven international attempts to land on the surface of Mars, only five have been successful.
Studying the water and ice deposits on Mars is important for both scientific reasons and for future human missions. It is possible that evidence of past or present life might be discovered in the water and ice. It is also important to gain a better understanding of how much water exists on Mars in order to plan for its use by future human expeditions to the Red Planet, who will need it for oxygen, drinking water, and perhaps manufactured rocket fuel.
If the landing is successful, NASA will have five spacecraft operating on or around Mars: the Mars Phoenix lander, the two Mars Exploration Rovers, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Mars Odyssey orbiter. In addition, the European Space Agency has an orbiter operating around Mars, the Mars Express.
NASA TV will be showing live coverage of the landing tomorrow evening. There is a tradition at the Jet Propulsion Labratory, going back to the Ranger robotic missions to the Moon back in the 1960s, to eat "good luck peanuts" just before a landing, so the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration encourages everyone to tune in to the landing coverage and munch on some good luck peanuts while doing so.
Best of luck to the Phoenix team!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Senator Obama Discusses Space Policy in Florida
While campaigning in Florida, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made some comments on space policy during a speech in Kissimmee. According to this article in Florida Today, he expressed support for a strong space program.
Obama stated his support for the development of the Orion spacecraft, which will replace the Space Shuttle ater its retirement. He also made comments about the need to revitalize the space program and expressed concern that other countries might "leapfrog" the United States.
However, Obama's public statements are contradicted by his policy position statement on grade-school education, which can be viewed at his website. At the end of this paper, Obama claims that he will pay for his education proposals partially by "delaying the NASA Constellation Program for five years." If enacted, this measure would effectively be the end of the Moon-Mars Initiative.
Even in the best case scenario, NASA is likely to face a five-year gap between the final flight of the Space Shuttle and the first flight of Orion. Senator Obama's proposal would, at best, increase this gap to ten years, during which time the United States will be unable to send humans into space. Realistically, however, the five year pause in Project Constellation will mean the complete end of the program. The NASA workforce will drift away, just as happened between the end of the Apollo flights and the launch of the Shuttle. And after pausing a multi-billion dollar program for half a decade, bureaucratic realities will make it all but impossible to get it moving again.
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration believes that if Senator Obama is truly devoted to a strong American space program, including the development of the Orion spacecraft, he should remove the cal for delaying Project Constellation from his education policy statement. Until then, we will believe what we have in writing, rather than what is mentioned in a speech.
Obama stated his support for the development of the Orion spacecraft, which will replace the Space Shuttle ater its retirement. He also made comments about the need to revitalize the space program and expressed concern that other countries might "leapfrog" the United States.
However, Obama's public statements are contradicted by his policy position statement on grade-school education, which can be viewed at his website. At the end of this paper, Obama claims that he will pay for his education proposals partially by "delaying the NASA Constellation Program for five years." If enacted, this measure would effectively be the end of the Moon-Mars Initiative.
Even in the best case scenario, NASA is likely to face a five-year gap between the final flight of the Space Shuttle and the first flight of Orion. Senator Obama's proposal would, at best, increase this gap to ten years, during which time the United States will be unable to send humans into space. Realistically, however, the five year pause in Project Constellation will mean the complete end of the program. The NASA workforce will drift away, just as happened between the end of the Apollo flights and the launch of the Shuttle. And after pausing a multi-billion dollar program for half a decade, bureaucratic realities will make it all but impossible to get it moving again.
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration believes that if Senator Obama is truly devoted to a strong American space program, including the development of the Orion spacecraft, he should remove the cal for delaying Project Constellation from his education policy statement. Until then, we will believe what we have in writing, rather than what is mentioned in a speech.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Statement on House Resolution 6063: The NASA Reauthorization Act of 2008
Last week, Congressman Mark Udall (D-CO), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronuatics, filed House Resolution 6063, the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2008. Joining him as co-sponsors of the legislation were Congressman Bart Gordon (D-TN), Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, Congressman Ralph Hall (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science and Technology, and Congressman Tom Feeney (R-FL), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. Today, it was unanimously approved by the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
Overall, this legislation is solid and sound. It would provide $19.2 billion for NASA in FY2009. It specifies that the mission of NASA should continue to include the establishment of a permanent human presence on the Moon and it also states that Mars should be an eventual destination for human missions. The twin goals of returning astroanuts to the Moon and eventually sending an manned expedition to Mars are a top priority for the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration.
A particularly welcome clause in the legislation is the authorization of an additional $1 billion to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and the Ares 1 rocket. Given the five-year gap that is currently expected to exist between the final flight of the Space Shuttle and the first flight of Orion, the need to shorten this time period is of critical importance. We can expect, however, that this particular allocation will come under attack as the bill works its way through the legislative process.
Regarding the proposed lunar outpost (which shall appropriately be named the "Neil A. Armstrong Lunar Outpost"), the legislation mandates that it need not be staffed by personnel at all times in order to remain operational. This makes logical sense on a certain level, but we also feel that NASA must avoid the temptation to establish an outpost where astronauts are entirely redundant. The main goal should be the creation of an outpost where human astronauts will be able to live and work for long periods of time. The legislation might be made more effective if it mandated a goal of human occupancy of the outpost for a certain portion of each year, six months being one possibility.
Another interesting item of note is that the legislation instructs NASA to "take all necessary steps" to fly an additional Shuttle mission to the International Space Station in order to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. Because the AMS is not critical to the functions of the ISS, its delivery has been in doubt for many years. The decision to fly the AMS is complicated. On one hand, it is an amazing scientific experiment that has cost the international community $1.5 billion to create. On the other hand, tere is an urgent need to retire the Space Shuttle in order to focus NASA resources more fully on the Moon-Mars Initiative. While the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration supports the decision to fly the AMS, we also believe that the Shuttle must still be retired as soon as possible and that this one additional mission should not be seen as a justification for further Shuttle missions.
The legislation also provides for the "restarting and sustaining" the production of material to power radioisotope thermoelectric generators, which will be crucial to future robotic missions in deep space. While this will not please the anti-nuclear activists who routinely protest such missions, it does please the Committee for he Advocacy of Space Exploration.
The bill is not perfect. It does not mention the Ares V rocket and it could have had a stronger emphasis on manned Mars missions following the establishment of the lunar outpost. But all things considered, it is good legislation and the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration will work hard to make sure it has a successful passage through the legislative process.
Overall, this legislation is solid and sound. It would provide $19.2 billion for NASA in FY2009. It specifies that the mission of NASA should continue to include the establishment of a permanent human presence on the Moon and it also states that Mars should be an eventual destination for human missions. The twin goals of returning astroanuts to the Moon and eventually sending an manned expedition to Mars are a top priority for the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration.
A particularly welcome clause in the legislation is the authorization of an additional $1 billion to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and the Ares 1 rocket. Given the five-year gap that is currently expected to exist between the final flight of the Space Shuttle and the first flight of Orion, the need to shorten this time period is of critical importance. We can expect, however, that this particular allocation will come under attack as the bill works its way through the legislative process.
Regarding the proposed lunar outpost (which shall appropriately be named the "Neil A. Armstrong Lunar Outpost"), the legislation mandates that it need not be staffed by personnel at all times in order to remain operational. This makes logical sense on a certain level, but we also feel that NASA must avoid the temptation to establish an outpost where astronauts are entirely redundant. The main goal should be the creation of an outpost where human astronauts will be able to live and work for long periods of time. The legislation might be made more effective if it mandated a goal of human occupancy of the outpost for a certain portion of each year, six months being one possibility.
Another interesting item of note is that the legislation instructs NASA to "take all necessary steps" to fly an additional Shuttle mission to the International Space Station in order to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. Because the AMS is not critical to the functions of the ISS, its delivery has been in doubt for many years. The decision to fly the AMS is complicated. On one hand, it is an amazing scientific experiment that has cost the international community $1.5 billion to create. On the other hand, tere is an urgent need to retire the Space Shuttle in order to focus NASA resources more fully on the Moon-Mars Initiative. While the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration supports the decision to fly the AMS, we also believe that the Shuttle must still be retired as soon as possible and that this one additional mission should not be seen as a justification for further Shuttle missions.
The legislation also provides for the "restarting and sustaining" the production of material to power radioisotope thermoelectric generators, which will be crucial to future robotic missions in deep space. While this will not please the anti-nuclear activists who routinely protest such missions, it does please the Committee for he Advocacy of Space Exploration.
The bill is not perfect. It does not mention the Ares V rocket and it could have had a stronger emphasis on manned Mars missions following the establishment of the lunar outpost. But all things considered, it is good legislation and the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration will work hard to make sure it has a successful passage through the legislative process.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Senate Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics and Related Sciences Holds Hearing on NASA Reauthorization
This morning, the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics and Related Sciences held a much-anticipated hearing on the status of the Vision for Space Exploration and the coming legislation to reauthorize NASA. The chair of the Committee is Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), who flew abord Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986. The Ranking Member of the Committee is Senator David Vitter (R-LA).
Senator Nelson made extensive opening remarks, commenting on the fact that the coming NASA reauthorization legislation will be critical because NASA itself is at a crossroads. He pointed out numerous issues that need to be resolved, such as whether to launch the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, the spaceflight gap between the last flight of the Shuttle and the first flight of Orion, and the continuing expansion of Chinese spaceflight capabilities.
Senator Vitter, in his opening remarks, pointed out that he agreed with Senator Nelson's position, highlighting the fact that the American space program is not a partisan issue and is something on which Democrats and Republicans can work together. He raised the question of what role should be played by the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program and whether Congress should increase NASA's budget by $1 billion to $2 billion, as had been suggested by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), in order to accelerate the development of the Orion/Ares system.
Among the distinguished panel members invited to testify at these hearings was legendary Gene Krantz, who served as NASA Flight Director for the Apollo 11 landings and the miraculous rescue of Apollo 13. He made several key points. First, he said that the coming spaceflight gap presented a danger that NASA's best people would leave to find employment elsewhere, thus forcing the space agency to rebuild its workforce at a later date and at great cost. This, he said, is what happened between the final flight of Apollo and the first flight of the Shuttle. He also stressed that the current plan to return to the Moon is the "bst game plan" he had seen since the Kennedy administration and that current NASA Administrator Mike Griffin was the best NASA leader he had seen in decades.
Of particular importance, Krantz said, is the need for NASA and the aerospace community to realize that there is no free ride and that they needed to work harder to build public support for the space program. He lamented the large and expensive conferences held by NASA and the aerospace community, where, he said, "space people talk to space people." Preaching to the choir was no way to build public support, and he urged that NASA and the aerospace community get out of their comfort zone and encourage the general public to become involved in the space program.
Senator Vitter asked Mr. Krantz whether the existing "architecture" for the Moon-Mars initiative should be reexamined and reconsidered during the coming debates over NASA reauthorization. Krantz responded by saying that this would be a waste of time. He said that NASA had been a victim of too many studies and too many reconsiderations. Frantz stated his beleif that the current plan was "very sound" that NASA should "stay the course."
Later on, after other panel members had testified, Senator Nelson pointed out to Mr. Krantz that NASA had received 3% of the federal budget during the Apollo era, whereas it receives only 0.6% of the federal budget currently. Senator Nelson asked whether the Apollo landings had been achieved had they ben given only 0.6% of the budget. In response, Krantz said that the outcome would have been America stuck in Earth orbit while a Soviet flag flew on the Moon.
Generally, the atmosphere of the hearing was positive and space advocates can hope that there will be a strong amount of support in the Senate when the time comes for NASA reauthorization legislation.
Senator Nelson made extensive opening remarks, commenting on the fact that the coming NASA reauthorization legislation will be critical because NASA itself is at a crossroads. He pointed out numerous issues that need to be resolved, such as whether to launch the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, the spaceflight gap between the last flight of the Shuttle and the first flight of Orion, and the continuing expansion of Chinese spaceflight capabilities.
Senator Vitter, in his opening remarks, pointed out that he agreed with Senator Nelson's position, highlighting the fact that the American space program is not a partisan issue and is something on which Democrats and Republicans can work together. He raised the question of what role should be played by the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program and whether Congress should increase NASA's budget by $1 billion to $2 billion, as had been suggested by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), in order to accelerate the development of the Orion/Ares system.
Among the distinguished panel members invited to testify at these hearings was legendary Gene Krantz, who served as NASA Flight Director for the Apollo 11 landings and the miraculous rescue of Apollo 13. He made several key points. First, he said that the coming spaceflight gap presented a danger that NASA's best people would leave to find employment elsewhere, thus forcing the space agency to rebuild its workforce at a later date and at great cost. This, he said, is what happened between the final flight of Apollo and the first flight of the Shuttle. He also stressed that the current plan to return to the Moon is the "bst game plan" he had seen since the Kennedy administration and that current NASA Administrator Mike Griffin was the best NASA leader he had seen in decades.
Of particular importance, Krantz said, is the need for NASA and the aerospace community to realize that there is no free ride and that they needed to work harder to build public support for the space program. He lamented the large and expensive conferences held by NASA and the aerospace community, where, he said, "space people talk to space people." Preaching to the choir was no way to build public support, and he urged that NASA and the aerospace community get out of their comfort zone and encourage the general public to become involved in the space program.
Senator Vitter asked Mr. Krantz whether the existing "architecture" for the Moon-Mars initiative should be reexamined and reconsidered during the coming debates over NASA reauthorization. Krantz responded by saying that this would be a waste of time. He said that NASA had been a victim of too many studies and too many reconsiderations. Frantz stated his beleif that the current plan was "very sound" that NASA should "stay the course."
Later on, after other panel members had testified, Senator Nelson pointed out to Mr. Krantz that NASA had received 3% of the federal budget during the Apollo era, whereas it receives only 0.6% of the federal budget currently. Senator Nelson asked whether the Apollo landings had been achieved had they ben given only 0.6% of the budget. In response, Krantz said that the outcome would have been America stuck in Earth orbit while a Soviet flag flew on the Moon.
Generally, the atmosphere of the hearing was positive and space advocates can hope that there will be a strong amount of support in the Senate when the time comes for NASA reauthorization legislation.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Texas House Delegation Calls For $2 Billion Increase In NASA Budget
A bi-partisan group of House members from Texas, twenty-five Democrats and five Republicans, have written an open letter to the House leadership calling for an increase of $2 billion for NASA's budget. See this article in the Houston Chronicle for details.
The bi-partisan group, lead by Representative Nick Lampson (D-22), addressed the letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Stephen Hoyer, Minority Leader John Boehner, Minority Whip Roy Blunt, Appropriations Chairman David Obey and Appropriations Ranking Member Jerry Lewis. They called for the increase to be part of another economic stimulus package or the supplemental appropriations bill.
As the delegation stated in the letter:
Investing these much-needed resources in NASA will reimburse the agency for funds spent on return-to-flight expenses following the Columbia disaster and for repairs needed following Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. In addition, these funds will help close the gap between the Shuttle and Constellation programs to minimize our dependence on Russia. We believe these funds will provide an immediate and long-term economic stimulus for our nation's economy as well through additional investments in science and aeronautics R&D.
This push for additional NASA funding mirrors a similar effort in the Senate, lead by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). The bi-partisan nature of both efforts illustrates how space exploration rises above the politically-charged bitterness that often divides members of Congress.
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploation strongly supports the effort to increase NASA funding. It is critical that Project Constellation receive necessary funding to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and Ares rockets, so as to minimize the gap between the final flight of the Shuttle and the first flight of Orion. This will not only reduce American dependance upon Russia for access to Earth orbit, but will greatly advance the twin goals of returning astronauts to the Moon and sending an expedition to Mars.
The bi-partisan group, lead by Representative Nick Lampson (D-22), addressed the letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Stephen Hoyer, Minority Leader John Boehner, Minority Whip Roy Blunt, Appropriations Chairman David Obey and Appropriations Ranking Member Jerry Lewis. They called for the increase to be part of another economic stimulus package or the supplemental appropriations bill.
As the delegation stated in the letter:
Investing these much-needed resources in NASA will reimburse the agency for funds spent on return-to-flight expenses following the Columbia disaster and for repairs needed following Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. In addition, these funds will help close the gap between the Shuttle and Constellation programs to minimize our dependence on Russia. We believe these funds will provide an immediate and long-term economic stimulus for our nation's economy as well through additional investments in science and aeronautics R&D.
This push for additional NASA funding mirrors a similar effort in the Senate, lead by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). The bi-partisan nature of both efforts illustrates how space exploration rises above the politically-charged bitterness that often divides members of Congress.
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploation strongly supports the effort to increase NASA funding. It is critical that Project Constellation receive necessary funding to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and Ares rockets, so as to minimize the gap between the final flight of the Shuttle and the first flight of Orion. This will not only reduce American dependance upon Russia for access to Earth orbit, but will greatly advance the twin goals of returning astronauts to the Moon and sending an expedition to Mars.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
April Newsletter: Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration
April of 2008 has been an exciting and interesting month for the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration. After months of laying the administrative groundwork, the Committee "went public" earlier this month and we have now started our work in earnest.
Public Debut and Coming Website Enhancements
On April 14, the Committee made its public debut, with Director Jeff Brooks publishing a notice in the popular on-line space newsletter The Space Review, which is edited by Jeff Foust. By the end of the day, more than 500 hits were registered on the Committee website and online contributions had started coming in. Large numbers of people signed up to receive Committee notices and many interested activists emailed Mr. Brooks to ask how they might be of assistance to the Committee in its mission to promote a robust and comprehensive American space program.
The large numbers of visitors to the website was a welcome surprise. The Committee website will be expanding considerably in the coming months, with many new features being added. Of particular interest to many will be the online postings of Committee endorsements for the 2008 election cycle. Our goal is to make the Committee website the "one stop shop" on the Internet for people who wish to know which candidates for Congress and the Presidency are the most pro-space.
Coming Endorsements
The main purpose of the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration is to assist the campaigns of pro-space candidates for federal office. To begin this process, we are busy communicating with congressional campaigns in order to determine which candidates are the most deserving of our support.
We have been mailing out questionnaires to the campaign offices of every contested Senate race and in selected competitive House races. We are following this up with direct contact with the campaigns. Because space exploration has been an almost invisible issue on the campaign trail, we feel that it is critically important for the campaigns to know that there is a dedicated constituency who believes the issue to be important.
The feedback we have received thus far has been quite positive, including statements that it was "about time" the space advocacy community had a political action committee. We expect to announce our first endorsements in June. Critical races will also be given financial support from the Committee's campaign fund. The larger the campaign fund, the more campaigns we can support- more on that later.
Message to the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
In addition to supporting candidates for office, the Committee does its work by lobbying Congress on matters of space policy. Recently, the Committee sent letters to each member of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics to express its concern over the dependence of NASA on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
While it is inevitable that NASA will lack its own human spaceflight capability between the last flight of the Space Shuttle and the first flight of the Orion spacecraft, the Committee hopes that Congress will make the necessary policy decisions now to ensure that this time period will be kept to an absolute minimum.
In its letter, the Committee called for two specific policies to be enacted. First, the Subcommittee members should follow the lead of Senator Barbara Milkulski (D-MD) and push for an addition of $1 billion to the NASA budget in order to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and the Ares rockets. Second, the Subcommittee members should push for increased support for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, helping to create a commercial alternative to government launches for the provision of supplies to the International Space Station.
These two measures will not only reduce America's dependence upon Russia for access to Earth orbit, but will greatly advance the goals of returning astronauts to the Moon and sending an expedition to Mars.
Building a Campaign Fund
A main task ahead of the Committee is raising funds to provide support for pro-space candidates over the course of the 2008 election. The more money we raise, the more support we can give to pro-space candidates and the more attention will be given to space policy as an election issue.
Any help you can provide will be of great value. Even contributions as small as $10, $25 or $50 can make a considerable difference. Basic membership in the Committee is $30.
Contributions can be made online through our website or can be mailed to:
Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration
P.O. Box 200243
Austin, TX 78720-0243
As always, please feel free to contact the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration with any questions or comments you might have. General inquiries can be sent to info@committee4spaceadvocacy.org, while questions specifically addressed to Director Jeff Brooks can be sent to director@committee4spaceadvocacy.org. Our phone number is: (904) 382-8348.
Public Debut and Coming Website Enhancements
On April 14, the Committee made its public debut, with Director Jeff Brooks publishing a notice in the popular on-line space newsletter The Space Review, which is edited by Jeff Foust. By the end of the day, more than 500 hits were registered on the Committee website and online contributions had started coming in. Large numbers of people signed up to receive Committee notices and many interested activists emailed Mr. Brooks to ask how they might be of assistance to the Committee in its mission to promote a robust and comprehensive American space program.
The large numbers of visitors to the website was a welcome surprise. The Committee website will be expanding considerably in the coming months, with many new features being added. Of particular interest to many will be the online postings of Committee endorsements for the 2008 election cycle. Our goal is to make the Committee website the "one stop shop" on the Internet for people who wish to know which candidates for Congress and the Presidency are the most pro-space.
Coming Endorsements
The main purpose of the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration is to assist the campaigns of pro-space candidates for federal office. To begin this process, we are busy communicating with congressional campaigns in order to determine which candidates are the most deserving of our support.
We have been mailing out questionnaires to the campaign offices of every contested Senate race and in selected competitive House races. We are following this up with direct contact with the campaigns. Because space exploration has been an almost invisible issue on the campaign trail, we feel that it is critically important for the campaigns to know that there is a dedicated constituency who believes the issue to be important.
The feedback we have received thus far has been quite positive, including statements that it was "about time" the space advocacy community had a political action committee. We expect to announce our first endorsements in June. Critical races will also be given financial support from the Committee's campaign fund. The larger the campaign fund, the more campaigns we can support- more on that later.
Message to the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
In addition to supporting candidates for office, the Committee does its work by lobbying Congress on matters of space policy. Recently, the Committee sent letters to each member of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics to express its concern over the dependence of NASA on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
While it is inevitable that NASA will lack its own human spaceflight capability between the last flight of the Space Shuttle and the first flight of the Orion spacecraft, the Committee hopes that Congress will make the necessary policy decisions now to ensure that this time period will be kept to an absolute minimum.
In its letter, the Committee called for two specific policies to be enacted. First, the Subcommittee members should follow the lead of Senator Barbara Milkulski (D-MD) and push for an addition of $1 billion to the NASA budget in order to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and the Ares rockets. Second, the Subcommittee members should push for increased support for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, helping to create a commercial alternative to government launches for the provision of supplies to the International Space Station.
These two measures will not only reduce America's dependence upon Russia for access to Earth orbit, but will greatly advance the goals of returning astronauts to the Moon and sending an expedition to Mars.
Building a Campaign Fund
A main task ahead of the Committee is raising funds to provide support for pro-space candidates over the course of the 2008 election. The more money we raise, the more support we can give to pro-space candidates and the more attention will be given to space policy as an election issue.
Any help you can provide will be of great value. Even contributions as small as $10, $25 or $50 can make a considerable difference. Basic membership in the Committee is $30.
Contributions can be made online through our website or can be mailed to:
Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration
P.O. Box 200243
Austin, TX 78720-0243
As always, please feel free to contact the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration with any questions or comments you might have. General inquiries can be sent to info@committee4spaceadvocacy.org, while questions specifically addressed to Director Jeff Brooks can be sent to director@committee4spaceadvocacy.org. Our phone number is: (904) 382-8348.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Soyuz Mishap Illustrates Dangers Of Relying On Russia For Transportation To Space Station
Over the past several days, much attention has been focused on the faulty landing of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft bringing back crew members from the International Space Station. American Peggy Whitson, Russian Yuri Malenchenko and South Korean Yi So-yeon (the first South Korean in space) were apparently subjected to ten times the force of gravity - far above what is supposed to be the case - and landed nearly 300 miles away from their landing site.
NASA is playing down the problem, despite the fact that this is the second flawed landing by a Soyuz in as many attempts. While an investigation of the problem will doubtless take some time, it is quite clear that the reputation of the Soyuz spacecraft as a safe and reliable vessel is under threat.
These facts should be kept in mind when we consider that the United States will rely on the Soyuz for a minimum of five years between the schduled retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 and the first manned flight of the Orion in 2015.
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration believes that funding should be provided by Congress in order to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and the Ares rocket, so as to minimize the amount of time NASA will be required to depend on Soyuz for transportation to the ISS. Not only are there safety issues to consider, but it is politically unwise to rely upon Russia in such matters.
NASA is playing down the problem, despite the fact that this is the second flawed landing by a Soyuz in as many attempts. While an investigation of the problem will doubtless take some time, it is quite clear that the reputation of the Soyuz spacecraft as a safe and reliable vessel is under threat.
These facts should be kept in mind when we consider that the United States will rely on the Soyuz for a minimum of five years between the schduled retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 and the first manned flight of the Orion in 2015.
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration believes that funding should be provided by Congress in order to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and the Ares rocket, so as to minimize the amount of time NASA will be required to depend on Soyuz for transportation to the ISS. Not only are there safety issues to consider, but it is politically unwise to rely upon Russia in such matters.
Friday, April 18, 2008
NASA Signals Intention To Rely On COTS For Future Cargo Missions To ISS
In a sign that NASA leadership is increasingly confident in the eventual success of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, NASA Administrator Mike Griffin has sent a letter to Congress stating that the space agency will not need to rely on Russian Progress cargo spacecraft to resupply the International Space Station after 2011.
The COTS program is a critical building block in American space exploration policy. Through the program, NASA is provided hundreds of millions of dollars to SpaceX and Orbital Sciences Corporation as seed money to help them develop low-cost, reliable orbital spacecraft that can undertake routine missions. The regular resupply of the ISS is the most obvious and immediate mission for these new spacecraft, but they will also have enormous potential for other missions. By turning over routine orbital missions to private industry, NASA will increase its ability to focus on the more far-reaching goals of returning to the Moon and sending an expedition to Mars.
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration believes strongly that American space exploration must be a fruitful partnership between the government and private industry. The COTS program is a wonderful example of such a partnership and should continue to be supported by Congress.
The COTS program is a critical building block in American space exploration policy. Through the program, NASA is provided hundreds of millions of dollars to SpaceX and Orbital Sciences Corporation as seed money to help them develop low-cost, reliable orbital spacecraft that can undertake routine missions. The regular resupply of the ISS is the most obvious and immediate mission for these new spacecraft, but they will also have enormous potential for other missions. By turning over routine orbital missions to private industry, NASA will increase its ability to focus on the more far-reaching goals of returning to the Moon and sending an expedition to Mars.
The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration believes strongly that American space exploration must be a fruitful partnership between the government and private industry. The COTS program is a wonderful example of such a partnership and should continue to be supported by Congress.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
NASA Extends Cassini Mission
Good news from Saturn. After four years of amazing work, and with the spacecraft still operating at a high level of efficiency, NASA has agreed to a $160 million extension of the Cassini mission to Saturn.
The Cassini robotic probe has been one of the glories of the Space Age. Launched in 1997, the spacecraft arrived at Saturn in 2004 and has been exploring the beautiful ringed planet with astonishing success ever since. Cassini launched the Huygens probe, built by the European Space Agency, down to the surface of Titan and has performed amazing scientific research on both Saturn and its system of moons for nearly four years.
While its planned primary mission is soon to end, Cassini remains in excellent health and more than capable of continuing its exploration of the Saturnian system. NASA's decision to fund an extension of the program, even in this time of strong budget pressures, is an extremely wise one.
The Cassini robotic probe has been one of the glories of the Space Age. Launched in 1997, the spacecraft arrived at Saturn in 2004 and has been exploring the beautiful ringed planet with astonishing success ever since. Cassini launched the Huygens probe, built by the European Space Agency, down to the surface of Titan and has performed amazing scientific research on both Saturn and its system of moons for nearly four years.
While its planned primary mission is soon to end, Cassini remains in excellent health and more than capable of continuing its exploration of the Saturnian system. NASA's decision to fund an extension of the program, even in this time of strong budget pressures, is an extremely wise one.
Space Review Publishes Article Introducing the Committee to the Space Advocacy Community
The Space Review, one of the best on-line space-interest newsletters, has published an article written by Jeff Brooks, Director of the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration, which serves to help introduce the Committee to the wider space advocacy community. Having spent the last few months dealing with the various administrative tasks necessary to get a political action commitee off the ground, we are delighted to finally be getting to chance to reach out to other space advocates.
Go here to read the article.
Go here to read the article.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Possible Aerospace Job Cuts A Cause For Concern
This article in Aviation Week provides a good summary of an issue that is raising eyebrows across the political and industrial landscape of the aerospace world. Its message: the 2010 retirement of the Space Shuttle could cost the aerospace industry up to 9,000 jobs. 6,400 of these lost jobs would be in the politically-crucial state of Florida.
When President Bush accounced in 2004 that the Shuttle would be retired, everyone knew that job cuts were inevitable. However, it was hoped that an efficient transfer from Shuttle operations to the missions of the new Orion spacecraft would limit job losses and preserve the aerospace industry's talent for the coming manned missions to the Moon.
Congress can effectively deal with this problem by increasing the funding for the development of Orion and the Ares rockets, thus shortening the gap between the final flight of the Shuttle and the first manned mission of Orion. In addition, increasing support for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS), which provide funding to private aerospace companies for the development of spacecraft for routine orbital missions, could also alleviate job losses while substantially enhancing America's space capabilities.
When President Bush accounced in 2004 that the Shuttle would be retired, everyone knew that job cuts were inevitable. However, it was hoped that an efficient transfer from Shuttle operations to the missions of the new Orion spacecraft would limit job losses and preserve the aerospace industry's talent for the coming manned missions to the Moon.
Congress can effectively deal with this problem by increasing the funding for the development of Orion and the Ares rockets, thus shortening the gap between the final flight of the Shuttle and the first manned mission of Orion. In addition, increasing support for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS), which provide funding to private aerospace companies for the development of spacecraft for routine orbital missions, could also alleviate job losses while substantially enhancing America's space capabilities.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Senator Mikulski Again Calls For $1 Billion Increase For NASA's Budget
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), who has long been a tireless defender of America's space program, has issued a press release in which she announced that she will renew her efforts to add an additional $1 billion to the NASA budget for Fiscal Year 2009.
Co-sponsors of the amendment are Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). These senators should be congratulated for their strong support of the American space program.
In previous attempts to pass this amendment, Congressman Nick Lampson(D-TX) has filed similar legislation in the House. Please note that Congressman Lampson is in a tough fight for re-election in his district, which includes the Johnson Space Center. His campaign website can be found here.
Here is a portion of the statement released by Senator Mikulski:
I’m disappointed that the President’s 2009 budget request for NASA is stagnant. The request is $17.6 billion – just $300 million above the 2008 omnibus level. A 1.8 percent increase does not keep up with inflation. Science is held steady at $4.4 billion. This only includes plans to launch five of 17 high priority Earth Science missions by 2020. Aeronautics research is cut by $65 million, for a total of just $447 million. There is no additional funding to help pay back NASA for the costs of returning the Shuttle to flight, perpetuating a five-year gap between the Shuttle’s retirement in 2010 and the launch of Orion and Ares in 2015. This is a budget of lost opportunities.
She goes on to say:
The budget request for the next generation vehicle is $3 billion, almost $600 million above the 2008 level. I am absolutely committed to the goal of returning the U.S. astronauts to the Moon and maintaining a U.S. presence there. With other nations seeking to expand their presence in space, returning to the Moon is a strategic goal. NASA estimates it will cost $16 billion to build Ares and Orion. While this is a significant investment, there will still be a gap of almost five years between the retirement of the space shuttle and the launch of Orion and Ares. I want to know what we can do to minimize this time gap and the impact of the gap on our workforce.
Senator Mikulski is one of NASA's great champions in the United States Congress. The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration thanks her for her efforts on behalf of the space program and urges all members of Congress to follow her lead.
Co-sponsors of the amendment are Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). These senators should be congratulated for their strong support of the American space program.
In previous attempts to pass this amendment, Congressman Nick Lampson(D-TX) has filed similar legislation in the House. Please note that Congressman Lampson is in a tough fight for re-election in his district, which includes the Johnson Space Center. His campaign website can be found here.
Here is a portion of the statement released by Senator Mikulski:
I’m disappointed that the President’s 2009 budget request for NASA is stagnant. The request is $17.6 billion – just $300 million above the 2008 omnibus level. A 1.8 percent increase does not keep up with inflation. Science is held steady at $4.4 billion. This only includes plans to launch five of 17 high priority Earth Science missions by 2020. Aeronautics research is cut by $65 million, for a total of just $447 million. There is no additional funding to help pay back NASA for the costs of returning the Shuttle to flight, perpetuating a five-year gap between the Shuttle’s retirement in 2010 and the launch of Orion and Ares in 2015. This is a budget of lost opportunities.
She goes on to say:
The budget request for the next generation vehicle is $3 billion, almost $600 million above the 2008 level. I am absolutely committed to the goal of returning the U.S. astronauts to the Moon and maintaining a U.S. presence there. With other nations seeking to expand their presence in space, returning to the Moon is a strategic goal. NASA estimates it will cost $16 billion to build Ares and Orion. While this is a significant investment, there will still be a gap of almost five years between the retirement of the space shuttle and the launch of Orion and Ares. I want to know what we can do to minimize this time gap and the impact of the gap on our workforce.
Senator Mikulski is one of NASA's great champions in the United States Congress. The Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration thanks her for her efforts on behalf of the space program and urges all members of Congress to follow her lead.
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