Joint Statement by 12 Space and Science Organizations to Support NASA 2011 Budget Proposal

[bananas]

http://planetary.org/about/press/releases/2010/0520_Planetary_Society_Joins_Forces_with.html

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2010
CONTACT:
Susan Lendroth
Voice: [phone] ext 237
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

Planetary Society Joins Forces with Space and Science Organizations to Support NASA 2011 Budget Proposal

Pasadena, CA, — The Planetary Society has joined the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Astronomical Society, the Universities Space Research Association and other groups to support the NASA budget proposal for fiscal year 2011.

A dozen non-profit organizations, representing science and engineering constituencies as well as the public, today issued a statement of support for the human space exploration plan outlined in NASA's proposed budget. The group includes America's largest science organization (AAAS) and the world's largest professional aerospace society (the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics), and the largest citizen's space interest group -- The Planetary Society.

"The new plan for NASA strikes the right balance in priorities, by focusing NASA's human space flight program on exploration beyond the Moon and into interplanetary space," states Louis Friedman, Executive Director of The Planetary Society. "This change will open up a new era of achievement for a new generation."

The Joint Statement says, in part:

"We believe this is an opportunity for NASA to craft the exploration strategy in partnership with science and applied science that includes the International Space Station, safe and cost-effective access to low Earth orbit, robotic precursors, and other missions."

Under the new guidelines, space flight to low Earth orbit would be turned over to the commercial sector, using their long experience and existing rockets, as well as the entrepreneurial energy and investment of new companies. American participation in the International Space Station would be extended, guaranteeing the space station a customer and American astronauts a near-term destination, and presaging a future of international cooperation in space exploration.

The joint statement was issued by the following organizations:

American Association for the Advancement of Science

American Astronomical Society

American Geophysical Union

American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics

American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology

Associated Universities, Inc.

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy

Commercial Spaceflight Federation

Maryland Space Business Roundtable

National Space Society

The Planetary Society

Space Frontier Foundation

Universities Space Research Association


About the Planetary Society

Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, The Planetary Society has inspired millions of people to explore other worlds and seek other life. Today, its international membership makes the non-governmental Planetary Society the largest space interest group in the world. Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman founded The Planetary Society in 1980.
The Planetary Society
85 South Grand
Pasadena, CA 91105 USA
Web: www.planetary.org
Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
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The full statement (pdf): http://planetary.org/programs/projects/space_advocacy/Joint_Statement_by_Space_Organizations1.pdf

JOINT STATEMENT BY SPACE ORGANIZATIONS
ON THE FY 2011 NASA BUDGET
May 20, 2010

We the undersigned, a diverse group of organizations with a vital interest
in our Nation’s space program, make the following statements:

• We strongly support the top line FY2011 NASA budget.

• We believe an important goal of the NASA budget is to accelerate
the development of the intellectual capital of the United States by
investing in a high-cadence exciting program.

• We are excited by the increases in science, aeronautics and
technology initiatives.

• We believe both human exploration and research are important:
destination, milestones, engagement and story matter.

• We believe this is an opportunity for NASA to craft the exploration
strategy in partnership with science and applied science that
includes the International Space Station, safe and cost-effective
access to low earth orbit, robotic precursors, and other missions.
Heavy lift launch and in-space servicing enable new realms of
exploration and science.

• We believe it is critically important that the American people can
and must participate and be engaged in the journey of discovery
and exploration.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE
AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR GRAVITATIONAL AND SPACE BIOLOGY
ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INC.
ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITIES FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY
COMMERCIAL SPACEFLIGHT FEDERATION
MARYLAND SPACE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
NATIONAL SPACE SOCIETY
THE PLANETARY SOCIETY
SPACE FRONTIER FOUNDATION
UNIVERSITIES SPACE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

[pansypoo53219]

1. good.

machines make better sense then humans.

[unhappycamper]

2. No can do.

We have two oil wars to fight......