As one of the organizations which pushed hard to ‘save Hubble’, the National Space Society fully supports NASA’s decision to commit to a final servicing mission.
George Whitesides, Executive Director of the National Space Society, stated: “Hubble is NASA’s astronomical crown jewel, and the decision to extend its life is the right choice. Fixing Hubble is a risk worth taking, just like NASA’s new program to send astronauts to explore the Moon and Mars.”
NSS members had signed thousands of petitions urging NASA to recommit to a final mission which will significantly extend the life of the orbital observatory. “NSS members knew in their gut what the American people knew in their heart: Hubble was worth saving, and courageous astronauts stood ready to do the job.” “In fact, missions like Hubble which demand creative thinking, speed and dexterity are much better suited to astronauts.”
NASA is helping to lead a golden age of astronomy, with other telescopes like the Webb telescope and the Space Interferometry Mission on the way. With the promise of discoveries equal to those of Hubble, these programs deserve strong government support.
About the National Space Society
The National Space Society (NSS) is an independent, grassroots organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. Founded in 1974, NSS is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizen’s voice on space. NSS counts thousands of members and over 50 chapters in the United States and around the world. The society also produces the annual International Space Development Conference. For more information on the society or the conference, please visit: http://www.nss.org
National Space Society
George Whitesides
Executive Director
george@nss.org
202-429-1600
