Senate Commerce, Science, And Transportation Committee Hears Discussion Of The Future Of Humans In Space

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing Thursday on the future of U.S. human space flight. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Astronauts Neil Armstrong (Apollo 11) and Eugene Cernan (Apollo 17), Norman Augustine, who chaired the Augustine Commission on human spaceflight, and John P. Holdren, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy all testified before the committee.

Committee chair Senator John D. Rockefeller IV said in his opening remarks that it is time for NASA to change directions, as was outlined by the Obama Administration. "I believe we need a new direction. To many, including myself, defenders of the status quo for NASA seem to justify their views solely because of the impact on jobs," Rockefeller said. "I can relate as much as anyone to the fight for jobs in my state. It is always the utmost priority – but we must strike a balance between economic development and modernizing our space program so we can remain competitive for years to come."

Senator Rockefeller

But Rockefeller said NASA has to first do what is right for the nation. "NASA’s role cannot stay static. The President has challenged the United States Government to seek greater international collaboration, enable commercial services and develop new exploration technologies. These are good priorities and should help ensure that in tough fiscal times, we build our space future in a measured, relevant, innovative, and sustainable way. This is not easy to do but we can do it – and we must. Because of budget constraints, NASA’s current budget of $18 billion may be a high water mark for years to come. We cannot assume the agency will have unlimited resources for every mission it wants to undertake. We have to make hard choices."

But ranking Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, said the Obama administration was charting the wrong course for the space agency. "The Administration’s proposal for NASA discards billions of dollars of important technology and engineering advancements paid for by American taxpayers, and places us on a course that relies on a still developing commercial market, to fill a role carried on for decades by the world's preeminent space agency,” said Senator Hutchison.  “Our 40-year legacy of leadership in space is on the line and we need to have a credible plan to take the next step forward, enhancing our investment over the last four decades.  We will get to Mars by building upon our existing capabilities, including our infrastructure, prior investment, and the most skilled workforce in the world.”

Senator Hutchison

Hutchison has proposed stretching out the remaining shuttle missions over the next two years and adding the standby flight as an actual flight with available cargo capabilities. “That would allow for the analysis and careful planning that is needed to minimize the risk to the space station and bridge part of the gap to new launch vehicles," she said. "The space station provides our primary reason for current and future space flight and offers almost the entire business case for many of the emerging commercial space companies in the short run.  The Administration owes us an answer why it will not consider stretching out the existing shuttle fights when the benefits of doing so are apparent. American exceptionalism demands more, the brave men and women that climb aboard rockets to explore the frontiers of space require more and, future generations of American children deserve more.”

NASA Administrator Bolden

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, an Obama appointee and also a former astronaut, agreed with Rockefeller that the President has made the right choices when setting the budget for the space agency. “The President’s FY 2011 budget request is good for NASA because it sets the Agency on a sustainable path that is tightly linked to our Nation’s interests," he said. "The President recognizes that what is truly needed for beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO) exploration are game-changing technologies; making the fundamental investments that will provide the foundation for the next half-century of American leadership in space exploration.”

Neil Armstrong

Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong told the committee that the U.S. needs to consider decades of investment in human spaceflight. "America has invested substantially for more than half a century to acquire a position of leadership in space. But for any organization, a public utility, an airline, a university, or an NFL team, to maintain a leadership position requires steadfast determination and a continuing investment in the future. That investment must be made wisely.”

Eugene Cernan

And Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, said America is at risk of falling behind in more than just space exploration on the current course. “If we abdicate our leadership in space today, not only is human spaceflight and space exploration at risk, but I believe the future of this country and thus the future of our children and grandchildren are as well.”

But if Senator Rockefeller's statement is any indication, changes are ahead for NASA. "As we move toward reauthorization, I firmly believe this committee has a significant oversight role to play," he said. "NASA cannot continue down the same path."

FMI: http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Home, www.nasa.gov