Obama plans space 'summit' in Florida in April:http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/os-obama-nasa-space-summit,0,2635621.storyhttp://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100307/NEWS0204/3070319/Obama-to-talk-space-in-Florida-visitAs a side note on timing of legislation going through Congress, the Florida Today article has bit on that:QuoteThe timing of the conference is good because it will occur before a key Senate science subcommittee votes on NASA's budget in May, said Nelson, who heads the subcommittee.(That would be a vote on the authorization bill.)
The timing of the conference is good because it will occur before a key Senate science subcommittee votes on NASA's budget in May, said Nelson, who heads the subcommittee.
President Obama to Host Space Conference in Florida in April (press release)WASHINGTON - On April 15, President Barack Obama will visit Florida to host a White House Conference on the Administration's new vision for America's future in space, the White House today announced.The President, along with top officials and other space leaders, will discuss the new course the Administration is charting for NASA and the future of U.S. leadership in human space flight. Specifically, the conference will focus on the goals and strategies in this new vision, the next steps, and the new technologies, new jobs, and new industries it will create. Conference topics will include the implications of the new strategy for Florida, the nation, and our ultimate activities in space.Further logistical details will be announced as they become available.After an independent review panel found that the previous program to return astronauts to the Moon was fundamentally un-executable, the President included an additional $6 billion for NASA in his FY2011 budget over the next five years. This funding will help us achieve our boldest aspirations in space. The President's ambitious new strategy pushes the frontiers of innovation to set NASA on a more dynamic, flexible, and sustainable trajectory that can propel us on a new journey of innovation and discovery.The President and the NASA Administrator both believe that we have to be forward thinking and aggressive in our pursuit of new technologies to take us beyond low-Earth orbit. The President's plan does this.A foundational element of this new strategy is to invest in the development of a targeted set of inter-related technologies and capabilities that can help us travel from the Earth's cradle to our nearby Solar System neighborhood in a more effective and affordable way, thus laying the foundation to support journeys to the Moon, asteroids, and eventually to Mars.After years of underinvestment in new technology and unrealistic budgeting, the President's plan will unveil an ambitious plan for NASA that sets the agency on a reinvigorated path of space exploration.
Doesn't sound like he's budging his position one bit, but his hawk advisors are problably telling him everyone loves the plan.
Will the president do the typical American style speech where they organise a cross section of ethic and age behind him, all clapping and cheering like inaccurate robots? Don't be surprised if he thinks he can do a JFK style speech on exactly the same plan everyone already hates.
Gods... I really am becoming a cynic!
At such a difficult moment, there are those who say we cannot afford to invest in science, that support for research is somehow a luxury at moments defined by necessities. I fundamentally disagree. Science is more essential for our prosperity, our security, our health, our environment, and our quality of life than it has ever been before. ... We know that our country is better than this. A half century ago, this nation made a commitment to lead the world in scientific and technological innovation; to invest in education, in research, in engineering; to set a goal of reaching space and engaging every citizen in that historic mission. That was the high water mark of America's investment in research and development. And since then our investments have steadily declined as a share of our national income. As a result, other countries are now beginning to pull ahead in the pursuit of this generation's great discoveries. I believe it is not in our character, the American character, to follow. It's our character to lead. And it is time for us to lead once again. So I'm here today to set this goal: We will devote more than 3 percent of our GDP to research and development. We will not just meet, but we will exceed the level achieved at the height of the space race, through policies that invest in basic and applied research, create new incentives for private innovation, promote breakthroughs in energy and medicine, and improve education in math and science. ... This work begins with a historic commitment to basic science and applied research, from the labs of renowned universities to the proving grounds of innovative companies.
Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 03/07/2010 08:26 pmGods... I really am becoming a cynic!Come to the Dark Side...
I expect Obama to dig in his heels and defend his budget to the letter while attempting to vilify anyone who disagrees with him- it's his SOP.
Quote from: zerm on 03/07/2010 09:24 pmI expect Obama to dig in his heels and defend his budget to the letter while attempting to vilify anyone who disagrees with him- it's his SOP.You mean every politician's SOP. My guess is he will announce that our next destination will be Mars with a goal to get there by 2025 to 2030. This is far enough in the future to be absolutely meaningless so it will work for him. He can say that he gave America a vision for space without actually having to take steps to fund it. It will also allow the OMB to cut the budget more easily later because after the Shuttle goes so does pretty much all public interest in NASA. Meanwhile it shifts funds away from the heavily conservative South and to more competitive states like Ohio which should help him out in 2012. Thus if President Obama has his way America's space program will end not with a bang but a whimper.
Oh no, another 5 weeks of this limbo?This is dragging out more than unbelievably.