Space Frontier Foundation Applauds NASA’s Bold New Direction

“Take Back Your Space Program!” Will Fight For Reforms on Capitol Hill

The Space Frontier Foundation called on Congress to back the courageous leadership of President Obama and NASA Administrator Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden as they rescue the US space program from certain failure in its ill-conceived effort to return to the Moon. The Administration is charting a new course based on common sense and a more normal relationship between the government and private sectors that will not only save billions of dollars but will help the US establish a NewSpace industry and eventually human settlements on the Moon, Mars and beyond.

“Everything we know of the plan so far is great!” said the Foundation’s Rick Tumlinson. “This new path will open space faster, cheaper and in a way that will pole vault US companies back to the front of the trillion dollar global space race. It will allow NASA to get back to the job of exploration – and yes, even return to the Moon, go to Mars and all the rest – but now we will be able to go to stay, and make it pay.”

The Foundation believes this new plan will help NASA do more at lower cost while transforming the US space industry back into the global force it once was. The Foundation asks: Do we cling to thousands of 20th century government-funded jobs for a few more years or enable millions of private sector 21st century jobs?  The role of government in a free society is to enable and regulate the private sector, not to compete with it – as has been the case so far in many areas of space, especially transportation.

“Government astronauts should not be driving trucks in Low Earth Orbit or on the Moon,” continued Tumlinson.  ”They should be the vanguard of solar-system exploration, constantly looking over the next horizon, in the tradition of great American explorers like Lewis and Clark or the inspirational heroes of fiction like James T. Kirk – with the rest of us following and creating new wealth and opportunity. Maybe now, after spending decades literally going around in circles, America can pursue its true destiny: To boldly go where no one has gone before.”

The Foundation recently announced “Take Back Your Space Program!,” a year-long campaign in which citizens will visit Congressional leaders to advocate for policies that advance a free and open space frontier.

“Contrary to the hype from vested interests, these changes will help us take back our space program, resulting in more jobs, rather than fewer, in the aerospace industry,” said project manager Mike Heney.  “This is a major turning point, the chance of a lifetime to have an impact on America’s civil space policy.  The time is now to make your voice heard.  Don’t miss it.”

“Take Back Your Space Program!” begins with First Flight, scheduled for the week of February 7-12, 2010. During First Flight and later events, volunteers from across the US will visit Congressional offices to express their support for the bold leadership of President Obama and NASA Administrator Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden.

Citizens who want to help open the space frontier are invited to join the group for First Flight. All volunteers must be US citizens 18 years or older. Volunteers must commit to attend training on Sunday, Feb. 7 and participate in at least two of Congressional office visits during the week. For more information and registration, visit the “Take Back Your Space Program!” website.

Space Frontier Foundation Applauds NASA’s Bold New Direction [pdf]