Letter: Don’t Make SLS the Bill Payer for Webb

The editorial “Identify JWST’s Bill Payers” [Oct. 10, page 18] raised some very powerful points we should consider going forward.

Although I respect your sentiment, I cannot support the notion that we should fund the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) from the Space Launch System (SLS). However, your justification for making such a suggestion is understandable in the absence of a mission, timeline or destination for SLS. Without a specific mission, it will be challenging to sustain the adequate funding needed over the lifespan of such a project.

But SLS and the pursuit of exploration beyond low Earth orbit are a worthwhile investment for America’s future. Crippling it now to benefit JWST doesn’t fulfill the overall mission of NASA and our nation’s commitment to exploration, let alone congressional mandate.

 
U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.)
Chairman, House Science, Space and Technology space and aeronautics subcommittee