WASHINGTON, D.C. – Arthur “Bill” Beckman, chairman of the Coalition for Space Exploration (Coalition) today issued the following statement regarding the NASA Authorization Act of 2014:
“Since the fall of 2010, the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 has provided the foundational guidance for NASA’s space exploration programs. Under this direction, dramatic progress has been realized across the full spectrum of these programs. The development of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS), designed to take humans farther than ever before, is on schedule with the first Orion test flight scheduled later this year. Critical support of the International Space Station (ISS) continues with commercial cargo flights and the development of commercial capabilities for human access to the ISS and low Earth orbit from American soil once again. NASA’s science directorate also continues to meet important milestones with the James Webb Space Telescope, which is in its final development to meet a scheduled launch in 2018. These are the next-generation NASA programs designed to explore the universe farther than ever before imagined.
The Coalition is encouraged by the progress made under the 2010 NASA Authorization Act and the key role it played to provide the continuity needed to maintain the nation’s deep space exploration programs. We encourage continued cooperation between the House and Senate to finalize a bill that will provide continued guidance and support for NASA’s missions.”
About the Coalition for Space Exploration
The Coalition for Space Exploration is a group of space industry businesses and advocacy groups that collaborates to ensure that the United States remains the leader in space, science and technology by reinforcing the value and benefits of space exploration with the public and our nation’s leaders, and building lasting support for a long-term, sustainable strategic direction for space exploration.