Congress

Members react to being named to space subcommittee

Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS), the new chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee’s space and aeronautics subcommittee, is pleased with his assignment, he tells hometown newspaper Biloxi Sun Herald. “I am excited to be able to play a role in shaping future manned space-flight missions and maintaining Stennis Space Center’s critical importance in that effort,” he said, referring to the NASA facility in his district. The director of Stennis, Patrick Scheuermann, is also happy to see his center’s congressman chairing the subcommittee. “Having Congressman Palazzo serve as chairman of the subcommittee responsible for shaping space policy is great for the employees and mission of NASA and Stennis Space Center.”

Rep. Sandy Adams (R-FL), also named to the space subcommittee, says she is “ready to hit the ground running as a leader on space issues” in a statement Monday. “As a past member of the Space Caucus in the Florida House of Representatives, I look forward to continuing my work as an advocate for NASA and emphasizing the importance of space exploration to the rest of my colleagues on the Committee and within the Republican caucus.”

5 comments to Members react to being named to space subcommittee

  • NASA Fan

    Anyone see any real use for Stennis, with all its test stands and test fixtures, etc. in this new world order?

  • DCSCA

    @NASA Fan wrote @ January 25th, 2011 at 6:54 am

    Depends on how tonight’s ‘Sputnik moment’ is defined in the SOTU speech.

  • CharlesHouston

    They have tested engines there recently – for expendables, etc. Hopefully we will not close the place yet!
    Also, there is a Navy oceanography office there.

  • James T

    Even if the HLV gets cancelled we can still make use of Stennis, we just won’t be testing rockets for the HLV. NASA made public their technology development roadmaps as a guide for determining research investments. The “Launch Propulsion Systems” and “In Space Propulsion Technologies” roadmaps both cover continued research into rocket technology, so new designs and concepts will have to get tested somewhere. Combine that with providing the location as a testing center for use by private companies, it should be able to be utilized, albeit maybe at a reduced personnel level.

  • spacevet

    Actually, Stennis provides tremendous bang for the buck in relation to other centers. NASA hosts about 30 Federal agencies at the center which keeps NASA’s share of the overhead extremely low. There’s really nothing like Stennis anywhere else and if we’re going to maintain a international class space program then Stennis is essential to both federal and commercial efforts. It has ample facilities to accomodate commercial space companies, its fiscal condition is tip notch and with it’s 125,000 acre buffer zone, there really aren’t any serious alternatives for HLV class engine testing. Stennis is a great value and cost the agency little relative to the return the taxpayer gets.

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