On July 9, Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, president and CEO of The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, testified before Congress at a hearing titled, “NASA Exploration Plans: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going,” held by the Subcommittee on Aviation and Space. The purpose of the hearing was to honor the upcoming 50th anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Apollo 11 mission, the United States landing the first man on the Moon, and NASA’s plans for future human spaceflight missions.
Within her testimony, Dittmar addressed foundational lessons learned during Apollo, the current geopolitical objective of establishing U.S. leadership in space and the importance of adequate funding, acquisition reform and a diverse workforce to reach the Moon and then Mars. As shared in her written testimony, Dittmar summarizes, “The Moon is not an end goal, but a beginning – a next step enabling the migration of technology, heavy industry, and humanity itself off the Earth and into the solar system at a scale that is no longer constrained by a single planet, our original home. Nothing stimulates interest like truly great goals that require us to develop ourselves and advance the human condition, as well as our technology, in order to achieve them. Continuing the work begun with Apollo, returning to the Moon, and then reaching for the horizon of Mars, is just such a goal.”
Other witnesses included: Dr. Christine Darden, Data Analyst and Aerospace Engineer Researcher, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Mr. Homer Hickam, Author, Rocket Boys; Mr. Gene Kranz, Flight Director, Apollo 11; and Mr. Eric Stallmer, President, Commercial Spaceflight Federation.
Click here to read Dittmar’s complete testimony.
About the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration
The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration is a national organization of more than 65 space industry businesses and universities focused on ensuring the United States remains a leader in space, science and technology. Based in Washington D.C., the Coalition engages in outreach and education reinforcing the value and benefits of human space exploration, space science, and commerce with the public and our nation’s leaders, building lasting support for a long-term, sustainable and strategic direction for our nation’s space program.
