NASA Administrator Charles Bolden
NASA chief Charles Bolden painted an upbeat picture of where his space agency is headed.
Bolden was the opening speaker at the National Space Symposium today, asking the packed auditorium here, as well as those at NASA itself, to “sit back and take a deep breath” concerning the space exploration enterprise.
Given President Obama’s space speech in Florida on Thursday, Bolden clearly did not want to upstage the White House.
“It’s a big week for the entire nation…a big week for NASA,” Bolden said.
The NASA administrator noted that the shift in NASA direction has stirred up controversy, particularly the White House cancellation of Constellation and increased reliance on the commercial sector.
“NASA is committed to a vibrant future for human spaceflight. Let’s work together to make sure our goals are fully realized,” Bolden said. He spotlighted the fact that NASA is pushing forward on transformative technology, innovative ways to inspire a new generation as well as create new industries.
Furthermore, Bolden said the time is now to mature a select set of technologies and move them from concept to flight.
Bolden did not offer specifics as far as specific human destinations beyond low Earth orbit, but said that human spaceflight will have a vibrant future.
By working together, Bolden advised, a space exploration enterprise worthy of a great nation can be shaped.
By LD/CSE