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Mars Analog Research Stations Task Force
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Translife / Mars Gravity Biosatellite
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U.S. Human Space Program Is In Trouble
On June 4, the U.S. House Appropriations Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee slashed $670 million from NASA’s 2010 human exploration budget. While comments from Rep. Alan Mollohan, the chairman of the Subcommittee, indicated that the move was a “time-out” until the Augustine report is completed, too often so called “time-outs” or “pauses” become permanent cuts or new “baselines.” This then allows politicians to add funds and claim they have made an increase when the actual budget is lower, sometimes significantly, than it was before. If Congress allocates these funds to another program, do you seriously think that program will then give them back?
More and more we are seeing signs of trouble with NASA funding. As
complaints continue about the Ares and the overall Constellation
program, many with little or no interest in a human space program are
lining up to delay or significantly reduce NASA moving beyond the Earth
and certainly beyond the Moon. Do not be surprised when you hear that
"human spaceflight is too expensive...too expensive for this difficult
economic time."
Congress ONLY responds to constituents. If you truly desire to see American human spaceflight flourish in the future, the seeds for that growth must be planted now. Every American needs to contact their members of Congress and demand that they not let human spaceflight fall to the budget ax. NASA has few supporters in Congress beyond those that benefit from its programs. We must make sure Congress knows that a human space program provides technological and inspirational benefits far beyond the immediate return. We must make sure Congress knows that we want a human program, not one that simply stares at the Earth, planets or the stars.
Call your Representative in Congress today (House; Senate; or go here to find your representatives). Tell them you are outraged at what the House of Representatives Appropriators have done. Tell them you do not trust that the money will be restored, and that you see this as the first step in the decline of American leadership in space. Tell your Representative that you expect them to see that funding is restored, AND that we continue our move beyond the Moon and on to Mars.
If you will be attending the Mars Society Convention in the Washington area this summer, plan to participate in the Mars Blitz on Capitol Hill. If you do, you will make a greater impression than you can imagine. Congress does respond - but only to those who are willing to make their voices heard.
If America loses its leadership in space, don't be the one who wonders if you could have done more. Make a difference today. Make a difference for tomorrow.
Congress ONLY responds to constituents. If you truly desire to see American human spaceflight flourish in the future, the seeds for that growth must be planted now. Every American needs to contact their members of Congress and demand that they not let human spaceflight fall to the budget ax. NASA has few supporters in Congress beyond those that benefit from its programs. We must make sure Congress knows that a human space program provides technological and inspirational benefits far beyond the immediate return. We must make sure Congress knows that we want a human program, not one that simply stares at the Earth, planets or the stars.
Call your Representative in Congress today (House; Senate; or go here to find your representatives). Tell them you are outraged at what the House of Representatives Appropriators have done. Tell them you do not trust that the money will be restored, and that you see this as the first step in the decline of American leadership in space. Tell your Representative that you expect them to see that funding is restored, AND that we continue our move beyond the Moon and on to Mars.
If you will be attending the Mars Society Convention in the Washington area this summer, plan to participate in the Mars Blitz on Capitol Hill. If you do, you will make a greater impression than you can imagine. Congress does respond - but only to those who are willing to make their voices heard.
If America loses its leadership in space, don't be the one who wonders if you could have done more. Make a difference today. Make a difference for tomorrow.
Commentary: Rockets Run on Dreams
