Author Topic: CSF Welcomes Recent Expressions of Growing Support for NASA’s CCDev (Read 2291 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 11/02/2011 08:50 pm »

Couldn't fit all the headline in....good presser. Quotes, always a fan of quotes!

Commercial Spaceflight Federation Welcomes Recent Expressions of Growing Support for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program

Recent Statements by Senators and Representatives Underscore Importance of Program for America’s Continued Leadership in Space

Washington, D.C., Wednesday, November 2, 2011 – The Commercial Spaceflight Federation is pleased to welcome recent expressions of growing support for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program in hearings and other events held over the last week, including the following:

Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Texas), Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: In a hearing last week on NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, Congressman Hall stated, “NASA's in an emergency; our space program's in an emergency. We can do better than those dates, I think ... Somebody just needs to say... "let's go" and I think you [commercial companies] all are the ones to do it and I hope you will.” [Oct 26]

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-California): In that same hearing, Congresswoman Lofgren stated, “I've been enthusiastically supporting this effort” and “the payoff is so enormous.” Later, Congresswoman Lofgren asked, “Is there any possibility that we could significantly reduce that timeframe [for flight] ... with the private sector involvement that we have?” The companies in attendance stated they could have crew transportation capability by 2015 with sufficient support from NASA. [Oct 26]

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Florida), Chairman of the Science and Space Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science, Transportation Committee: In an event in Florida earlier this week, Senator Nelson stated, “This is just the first of much to come. You just wait until you see what's coming here to the Kennedy Space Center in the future in the way of public/private partnerships.” He then added, “This marks the beginning of the vibrance of the economy of the Space Coast, the return of new and exciting jobs.” [Oct 31]

Rep. Sandy Adams (R-Florida): At that same event, Congresswoman Adams stated, “The Commercial Crew Development program is the best near term hope we have for getting American astronauts, on American rockets, built by an American aerospace workforce to the International Space Station. The recent failure of a Russian cargo mission highlights the problems associated with relying on foreign countries for access to the ISS. ... As America takes steps towards the next chapter of space exploration, it is imperative that Congress remains vigilant in its support of the efforts of the Commercial Crew and COTS program. It is imperative that Congress ensure that they have the tools they need to be ready to carry crew to station as soon as is practically possible without sacrificing safety." [Oct 31]

Rep. Bill Posey (R-Florida): At that same event, Congressman Posey stated, "The Commercial Crew Program represents our greatest near term hope for returning our astronauts to Low Earth Orbit and the International Space Station aboard American made vehicles. This capability will allow NASA to focus on exploring deeper into our solar system and beyond." [Oct 31]

Video links:
Commercial Crew hearing in Congress last week: http://science.house.gov/hearing/full-committee-%E2%80%93-hearing
Florida event on Commercial Crew this week:

About the Commercial Spaceflight Federation
The mission of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) is to promote the development of commercial human spaceflight, pursue ever-higher levels of safety, and share best practices and expertise throughout the industry. The CSF’s member companies – which include commercial spaceflight developers, operators, spaceports, suppliers and service providers – are creating thousands of high-tech jobs nationwide, working to preserve American leadership in aerospace through technology innovation, and inspiring young people to pursue careers in science and engineering. For more information please visit www.commercialspaceflight.org or contact Executive Director John Gedmark at [email protected] or at 202.349.1121.

grr · « **Reply #1 on:** 11/03/2011 12:47 pm »

And yet, I will bet that these are the same ppl that not only voted for 325 million private space funds, but pushed to gut it from the 850M request

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perhaps I should not be so negative. It sounds like the recent Russian progress issues has made an impression. Perhaps things will change shortly.

Jason1701 · « **Reply #2 on:** 11/03/2011 03:55 pm »

Talk is cheap.

spectre9 · « **Reply #3 on:** 11/04/2011 02:06 am »

The thing that's made the impression has been gutting the shuttles making sure they don't fly again.

beancounter · « **Reply #4 on:** 11/04/2011 03:12 am »

Quote from: spectre9 on 11/04/2011 02:06 am

The thing that's made the impression has been gutting the shuttles making sure they don't fly again.

Yes Shuttle was deemed a) too expensive to continue to maintain let alone fly, and b) too dangerous (i.e. no LAS). In addition, the decision was made some years ago and everyone knew about it but didn't act appropriately on that knowledge. In other words, NASA and Congress allowed a one-failure system to prevail and it failed.
We now have the same situation with respect to Soyuz. One failure and your out of the HSF business for at least some time.
But it remains to be seen whether Congress will learn its lesson. Somehow I also doubt it. As Jason so aptly put it ' Talk is cheap'.