Thirteen U.S.-based space organizations issued a joint statement May 20 endorsing the broad outlines of President Barack Obama’s NASA budget proposal for 2011.
“We believe this is an opportunity for NASA to craft the exploration strategy in partnership with science and applied science that includes the International Space Station, safe and cost-effective access to low earth orbit, robotic precursors, and other missions. Heavy lift launch and in-space servicing enable new realms of exploration and science,” the statement reads in part.
Signers included the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Astronomical Society, American Geophysical Union, American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology, Associate Universities Inc., Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Commercial Spaceflight Federation, Maryland Space Business Roundtable, National Space Society, Planetary Society, Space Frontier Foundation and Universities Space Research Association.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee adopted resolutions May 19 endorsing the commercial crew program outlined in NASA’s 2011 budget and supporting continuation of the FAA’s role in licensing commercial human spaceflight activities.
