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.
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