WASHINGTON – The House Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics will tomorrow hold a hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2006 budget for aeronautics at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  

The budget proposes significant changes in NASA’s aeronautic programs, including, over the next five years, dramatic cuts in funding and staffing, closure of facilities, and redirection of research priorities.  NASA argues that these proposed changes would enable NASA to focus on the highest priority areas in aeronautics while freeing up agency funds for space exploration programs, the agency’s highest priority.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics – Hearing

“The Future of Aeronautics at NASA”

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

2318 Rayburn House Office Building

(Live and archived webcasts of the hearing will be available on the Committee’s website: www.house.gov/science.)

WITNESS LIST

  •   Dr. Vic Lebacqz is Associate Administrator of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate.  He was named to his current position in January 2004, after serving about six months in an acting capacity. 

  •   Dr. John Klineberg led a 2004 National Academy of Sciences study entitled “Review of NASA’s Aerospace Technology Enterprise:  An Assessment of NASA’s Aeronautics Technology Program.”  He is retired as president of Space Systems/Loral, and for 25 years worked at NASA, including as director of the Goddard Space Flight Research Center and the Ames Research Center.

  •   Dr. Philip Anton was the principal investigator of a 2004 report produced by the RAND Corporation entitled “Wind Tunnels and Propulsion Test Facilities:  An Assessment of NASA’s Capabilities to Serve National Needs.”  The report was jointly sponsored by NASA and the Department of Defense.  He is a senior scientist at RAND, which is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center sponsored by the Department of Defense.

  •   Dr. Mike Benzakein was named chairman of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Ohio State University in October 2004.  From 1967 through 2004 he worked for GE Aircraft Engines and retired as General Manager of Advanced Technology and Military Engineering. 

  • Dr. John Hansman is a professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Director of the International Center for Air Transportation.