Concerns Raised Over House NASA Authorization Bill

Letter to Rep. Gordon Regarding House Science Committee Authorization Bill As It Relates to NASA
“President Obama’s new strategy revitalizes and expands our investments in technology, commercial spaceflight, student research, and robotic exploration precursors. These are the key elements of the President’s new plan for NASA that must be retained in any consensus solution reached by Congress and the White House. These investments will benefit all parts of our space program. Indeed, human space exploration beyond Earth orbit can only be truly sustainable and affordable if commercial spaceflight to low Earth orbit and innovative research and development efforts are pursued as well. We feel that the following programs, which are substantially underfunded in the current House Science Committee authorization bill, are especially critical:”
Keith’s note: Given that this letter addresses the future, young people, and education – and commerical space, among the signers, you find
– No one under 50
– Only 1 female
– Little – if any – space commerce experience
– College management only – little/no classroom teachers
Keith’s additional note: With all due respect to all the signers, and not to take away from their comments, but I do not see a single person on this list who will spend their entire career in the future referred to by this letter. One would think that their voices would be among the most persuasive.