Congress Weighs in on ISS Science Cuts

Editor’s note: At a press conference today ISS Manager Mike Suffredini was asked about the status of science cuts on ISS. Instead of trying to explain his program’s current actions, he declined to go into any detail – other than to say that NASA was always studying “a lot of things thta never get implemented” and that these studies are part of an annual process that is driven, in part, by “which way the winds blow from Congress”. Based on this letter from the leaders of the primary Senate authorizing and appropriations subcommittees which deal with NASA, it should be rather clear which way that wind is blowing.

Senator Hutchison Expresses Concern at Possible International Space Station Research Suspension

“This week, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science and Space, in a letter to NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin expressed concern that NASA may be considering suspension of International Space Station (ISS) research for up to a year. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL), Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) co-signed the letter. The text of the letter follows:”

“… we want to make it clear that any option to further reduce, or curtail altogether, research aboard the ISS would be an unacceptable option and entirely inconsistent with the policy guidance enacted by the Congress, as well as, we believe, the intent of the Vision for Exploration.”

NASA threatens to axe science on space station, Nature (subscription)

“I can’t believe that they would discuss this with a straight face,” says former NASA employee Keith Cowing, who broke the story on his website, NASA Watch.”