On Wednesday of this week (July 13), Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Executive Director of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, testified before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transporation’s Subcommittee on Space, Science and Competitiveness, about the future of NASA’s deep space human exploration and science programs in a hearing entitled NASA at the Crossroads: Reasserting American Leadership in Space Exploration.
Other witnesses included Mr. William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, Mr. Daniel Dumbacher, Professor of Engineering Practice at Purdue University, Mr. Mark Sirangelo, Vice President of the Space Systems Group, Sierra Nevada Corporation, and Mr. Mike Gold, Vice President of Washington Operations for Space Systems Loral. The meeting was chaired by the Subcommittee Majority Chair Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) with ranking member Senator Peters (D-MI).
NASA’s Mr. William Gerstenmaier, Coalition Executive Director Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Mr. Mike Gold, Mr. Mark Sirangelo, and Professor Dan Dumbacher, giving testimony before Congress on on July 13 2016. Credit: Art Harman
Senators Cruz (R-TX) and Peters (D-MI) discuss the NASA Orion crew vehicle and Space Launch System with the hearing witnesses. Credit: Art Harman
A description of the hearing, including written testimony of the witnesses, a statement by the Committee’s Minority member Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and a video of the hearing may be found at here.
As is always the case, the witnesses led with oral testimony prior to Q&A with the Congressional members. Dr. Dittmar’s oral testimony is presented below.
13 July 2016
Chairman Cruz, Senator Peters, and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss with you my thoughts on U.S. leadership in space exploration. I would first like to say it is an honor to be asked to testify, both before you, and on this august panel. My own background is diverse but in my currently role, I serve as Executive Director of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, which is the “voice” of America’s industry working on a range of human exploration and space science missions. With more than 50 members across the nation, we are proud to be a part of America’s deep space programs, and we are grateful for the support of this subcommittee and the Congress, who sustain them.
NASA stands at the cusp of a new era of exploration in deep space. For the first time in human history we are poised to answer some of humanity’s biggest questions: “Where did we come from?” “Where are we going?” “Are we alone?” Under NASA’s leadership an architecture is developing that will maximize the use of industry, international partners, scientists, operations experts, entrepreneurs, engineers, and program managers working in collaboration to answer the Big Questions, and to generate a range of other returns to the nation. Despite challenges driven by budget disconnects between the Administration and Congress, the programs underpinning this architecture have made tremendous progress over the past 7 years. I was recently at the Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana where the Space Launch System – America’s next super heavy-lift rocket – and the Orion crewed spacecraft, which will carry humans into deep space, are being assembled…and I was blown away. The last time I had been around so much hardware was in the late 90’s, when I stood in a high bay at the NASA Marshall Spaceflight Center where five modules of the International Space Station were housed all at one time, prior to first launch. At Michoud, there is a similar excitement, palpable on the factory floor – only now it is focused outward, toward Mars. – We are GOING SOMEWHERE!
In a real sense NASA’s job is to plan for what is, ultimately, an optimistic vision of the future. Negotiating and executing programs for space exploration and science over decades is even more challenging than the engineering and technology upon which they rest. As we enter the election season, we are keenly aware of the potential for change. Change can be good – but let me state unequivocally that is the position of the Coalition that major disruptions stemming from abrupt shifts in space policy, such as we saw in 2009-2011 in human space flight risk derailing all the progress that has been made and jeopardize our future as a nation. With regard to my membership, which is made up in large part by small companies, such rapid shifts result in shuttered offices, abandoned factory floors, and ruined businesses. Yet, these same firms are the ones most likely to generate new inventions, drive most job creation in the U.S., and exemplify the enterprising spirit that powers our economy and our nation. NASA’s SLS and Orion programs alone have sustained hundreds of companies in this sector, enabling innovation, new technology, new production methods, and the achievement of entrepreneurial dreams. In return, these companies have provided critical components needed to lead the way back into deep space. Constancy of purpose is critical.
In my written testimony I detail the critical roles played by various components of NASA’s architecture, beginning with the ISS as a hub of commercial development and – importantly – as an indispensable facility for the development and testing of deep space exploration systems. With regard to deep space systems, the long-awaited moment when our solar system is re-opened to human exploration and development is approaching, and will become real in a little more than two years as the first integrated test flight of Orion and SLS, lifts off in 2018. In 2021, NASA will return American astronauts to deep space. These initial flights will open a new era as NASA and its industry and international partners begin assembling a true deep space infrastructure, leading to new possibilities in human exploration and science.
Like the generations of explorers before us, we will learn as we go. Eventually, once we have developed sufficient skills and validated our systems, we will push deeper into space, to Mars.
NASA’s diverse portfolio represents consensus and compromise among many stakeholders that has been painstakingly developed on a bilateral, bicameral basis across the 2005, 2008, and especially 2010 NASA Authorization Acts in which this committee has played a significant role. Looking back across a decade characterized by transition, progress, and opportunity, it is evident that this course has been a wise, measured, and effective one. In my written testimony I have offered some suggestions regarding essential elements I believe should be addressed to ensure our continued progress.
Mr. Chairman and Senator Peters, thank you again for the opportunity to address the committee on this important topic today. I wish to thank the Congress and this committee for your commitment to the SLS super-heavy rocket, the Orion crewed exploration spacecraft, ISS crew and cargo transportation, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the start of the deep space habitat development, as well as the ongoing operations of the ISS and the recent triumphs of science missions such as New Horizons (Pluto) and Juno (Jupiter). I encourage you to review the Coalition’s recent policy paper, “A Space Exploration Roadmap for the Next Administration,” which I respectfully submit for the record. I look forward to your questions.