Comments by Rep. Kucinich During Regarding Workforce RIFs During House Debate on NASA FY 2007 Budget“… At the same time, I am concerned with the bedrock of NASA’s success, its world class workforce. The 2005 NASA Authorization Bill enacted a moratorium on involuntary reductions in force until March of 2007. In addition, the act required 11.5 months between the submission of a complete workforce plan and the end of a […]

Questions orbit around future of NASA, USA Today“The agency has announced no plans at all for the four- to six-month voyage to Mars, though the new spacecraft are being designed to make the trip. Griffin has said work on such a foray would take place in the 2020s. Even the most pessimistic space experts say America is unlikely to abandon a program as popular and prestigious as human space exploration. […]

Issues Affecting the Future of the U.S. Space Science and Engineering Workforce: Interim Report, NAS“The report presents a summary of highlights of a January 2006 workshop and a February 2006 committee meeting on the future of the U.S. aerospace space science and engineering workforce, and it provides some preliminary findings with respect to (1) current and projected characteristics of the workforce, (2) factors that impact the demographics of the affected […]

Ex-Langley official reassigned after shuttle doubts, Daily Press“James Hartsfield, writing for Johnson Space Center on the Web log NASA Watch, wrote that Camarda “was not fired as a civil servant. … His comment likely reflects his opinion that he was ‘fired’ from his influential position as director of engineering at JSC.” Editor’s 28 June note: I have no idea where the Daily Press’ Jim Hodges got this odd idea. James […]

Discovery’s Goal: A Quiet Trip, Washington Post“The space shuttle Discovery is poised for launch Saturday for what NASA engineers hope will be an uneventful mission, knowing that another mishap, even a minor one, could doom the shuttle program and deflate President Bush’s ambitions for future space exploration. Countdown for the flight began late yesterday afternoon, but the shuttle is flying without approval by NASA’s top safety officer.”NASA Space Shuttle Processing […]

NASA HST Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) Status Update“On Thursday afternoon, June 29, the HST’s senior managers attended the Flight Readiness Review (FRR) of the activities required to install flight software into, and transition the ACS to its Side 2 (redundant) electronics. The review was also attended by Dr. Jennifer Wiseman (NASA HQ) and the ST ScI Director, Dr. Matt Mountain.”

House Rejects Bid to Curb Mars Funding, AP“This is the United States of America. We are a nation of pioneers and explorers,” said Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Fla. “We are destined to explore not just Mars but go on to other stars. It’s in our nature as human beings.” Editor’s note: Mars is a planet, not a star.

AIP FYI #86: House Appropriators Complete FY 2007 NASA Funding BillSIZE OF NASA’S WORKFORCE: “With respect to the agency’s workforce, the Committee is concerned with the budgetary impact of maintaining employment levels in excess of what is needed to accomplish NASA’s mission. The Committee expects NASA to undertake the necessary workforce planning to correct what NASA refers to as ‘uncovered capacity’. The Committee supports NASA’s efforts to develop and maintain […]

NASA Issues Hubble Space Telescope Status ReportNASA Hubble Space Telescope: Update on Suspension of ACS Operations, STSCI“At this point, the ACS is in a safe configuration, and analysis of engineering data at the time of the suspension is ongoing. Initial indications are that there is a problem with one set of electronics used to provide power to the CCDs. A review board is meeting June 29 to determine the best […]

NASA’s Cassini Spacecraft Marks Mission Halfway Point, NASA“As the Cassini spacecraft reaches the halfway mark in its four-year tour of the Saturn system, discoveries made during the first half of the mission have scientists revved up to find out what’s in store for the second act.”Nine new moons for Saturn, Planetary Society“If you’re keeping score, Jupiter is still in the lead with 63 moons, but Saturn is running a close […]