Congress

Reauthorizing the Vision

On Wednesday morning, May 7, the space subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee is holding a hearing titled “Reauthorizing the Vision for Space Exploration”. According to the brief description on the committee web site:

The Subcommittee will consider the issues facing the upcoming reauthorization of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Subcommittee will examine challenges related to the retirement of the Space Shuttle and the transition to the new Orion/Ares system, the impending gap in U.S. human access to space, and the need to ensure a healthy and balanced research program.

The site doesn’t currently have a list of witnesses, but one of them will be George Whitesides, executive director of the National Space Society. In a message he sent to members on Friday, he asked for comments from members on “the future of the U.S. space program, its importance to the country, and the potential gap in human spaceflight capability, following the retirement of the Space Shuttle.” If you received that message and want to share the comments you sent to George with readers here, please leave them in the comments.

5 comments to Reauthorizing the Vision

  • anonymous.space

    I understand that authorization language is being drafted but that it will only provide a one-year authorization, mainly due to the upcoming election.

    FWIW…

  • Al Fansome

    Is there any reason to think that NASA “authorization” legislation will get passed this year?

    NASA authorization legislation, in general, has a horrible record of getting passed. And this is an election year.

    – Al

  • Kevin Parkin

    The interest groups that balance and sustain NASA represent the past, not the future.

  • anonymous.space

    “Is there any reason to think that NASA “authorization” legislation will get passed this year?”

    Since they’re aiming for a one-year authorization, there should be a slightly better chance of passage. The legislation won’t tie the new Administration’s hands after the election or otherwise set policy in stone for a long period of time. That should make the bill less controversial and more palatable than a normal, three-year authorization.

    “NASA authorization legislation, in general, has a horrible record of getting passed. And this is an election year.”

    That said, you’re right that the chances of passage are always poor to begin with, and election years increase the difficulty. The key will be keeping the legislation simple and free of controversy and moving swiftly through the early going in subcommittee and committee.

    FWIW…

  • D. Messier

    I can’t imagine this hearing will really change anything significant. Too close to the election to do anything radical.

    I wonder if this Orion Standing Review Board situation gets raised. I’m certainly not expert in federal law, but none of NASA’s explanations ring true. Their review of SRB rules seems like a delaying tactic that won’t change anything much.

    Does anyone know what exactly happens when the IG says they broke the law and NASA management tells them to frak off? Does it get referred to DOJ? Would Justice take it seriously?

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