Within days of last week’s election, industry and popular support for the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration’s Presidential transition policy position paper is building. The paper, entitled “A Space Exploration Roadmap for the Next Administration,” presents a bipartisan roadmap for the incoming Trump Administration and Congress that ensures space exploration remains a priority and supports United States’ continuing leadership in space exploration. Click here to download the paper.
“The endorsements of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the Citizens for Space Exploration (CSE) represent the spectrum of the aerospace industry and interested members of the public and demonstrate broad support for NASA’s deep space human and science exploration programs,” said Mary Lynne Dittmar, director of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration.
“Together with the Coalition these associations endorse NASA’s role in maintaining U.S. leadership in exploration, science and commerce in space. The consensus across industry and the scientific community is to complete and operate important national assets such as the Space Launch System (SLS), Orion crew vehicle, Ground Systems, and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST),” she added.
The paper highlights the role these national assets play in maintaining a robust human exploration and deep space science program. SLS, Orion and JWST will be launching within the next two years, marking a new era in America’s leadership in space. The paper also describes the importance of the International Space Station in both exploration research and in the development of commerce in Low Earth orbit (LEO), and supports ongoing development of commercial crew and cargo programs supporting activities in LEO.
“America’s aerospace industry has been making great progress on NASA’s space development programs. What’s needed for success is continuity and a consensus on our destination,” said Frank Slazer, Vice President, Space Systems, AIA. “It’s been nearly fifty years since Americans first ventured beyond our home planet due to prior program starts and stops – we urge the new Administration and Congress to continue moving forward towards deep space exploration – inspiring future generations and providing benefits here at home,”
“Citizens for Space Exploration strongly endorses the Coalition ‘Roadmap’ and urges the incoming Administration to build upon the progress that has been made with Orion, Space Launch System, International Space Station, and Commercial Cargo and Crew to ensure U.S. leadership in space and to accelerate America’s journey to Mars,” said Joe Mayer, Chairman, Citizens for Space Exploration.
In addition, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has also highlighted space exploration as an important component of U.S. leadership. Their paper, “National Security and Emergency Preparedness Department White Paper” may be found here.
In order to maintain U.S. space leadership, the paper made seven key recommendations.
– Develop and maintain close alignment between the new Administration and Congress on space policy, priorities and funding levels
– Ensure robust and dependable U.S. access to deep space for all future missions
– Advance U.S. leadership and achievement in space science
– Ensure utilization of the International Space Station (ISS) as a technology testbed and the cornerstone of NASA’s comprehensive plan for future space exploration
– Focus new transportation services on supporting NASA’s low-Earth orbit activities and missions without sacrificing safety and mission assurance
– Strengthen NASA’s effectiveness by streamlining the institutional footprint, bureaucracy and procurement practices to ensure the effective deployment of existing resources
– Ensure development of new technologies and space capabilities which directly support science, exploration and national security needs
The paper also presents strong justifications for continued investment in space exploration programs, including: technical leadership; greater advances in space science; preserving the national space industrial base; market development and greater private sector investment in space; international leadership; and national aspiration and achievement.