Commercial Crew Will Eliminate Reliance on Russia, Save Money for the US Taxpayer, and Tap Private-Sector Innovation to Create New Jobs
Washington, D.C., Monday, February 14, 2011 – The Commercial Spaceflight Federation today welcomed the strong support for commercial spaceflight in the new NASA FY2012 proposed budget.
CSF President Bretton Alexander stated, “In this constrained fiscal environment, commercial spaceflight is more important than ever. NASA’s Commercial Crew program will result in significant savings to the US taxpayer, and will cut the amount of money the nation has been sending to Russia every year. Leveraging private investment is the only way NASA can make its dollars go farther in these times of belt-tightening.”
Last year’s NASA Authorization Act identified commercial spaceflight as the primary means to access low Earth orbit and transport NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. The Commercial Crew program has been endorsed by a broad array of thought leaders, including over 25 former astronauts, members of the Columbia Accident Investigation board, over 14 Nobel Laureates, and leaders from across the political spectrum such as former Governor Bill Richardson and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
CSF Executive Director John Gedmark added, “NASA’s number one job is to safely keep America flying in space and eliminate our dependence on the Russians as quickly as possible. It’s because commercial spaceflight is the fastest way to end our reliance on Russia that robust funding for Commercial Crew is so critical. In addition, Commercial Crew will create thousands more private-sector jobs using a combination of government and private investment.”
Gedmark concluded, “It’s time to unleash the innovation of the American private sector in space, and NASA’s new budget does exactly that. It’s the only way to ensure America’s leadership in space.”
About the Commercial Spaceflight Federation
The mission of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) is to promote the development of commercial human spaceflight, pursue ever-higher levels of safety, and share best practices and expertise throughout the industry. The Commercial Spaceflight Federation’s member companies, which include commercial spaceflight developers, operators, spaceports, suppliers, and service providers, are creating thousands of high-tech jobs nationwide, working to preserve American leadership in aerospace through technology innovation, and inspiring young people to pursue careers in science and engineering. For more information please visit www.commercialspaceflight.org or contact Executive Director John Gedmark at john@commercialspaceflight.org or at 202.349.1121.
