NSS Urges Congress to Continue Support for U.S. Launch Sector
By Jeffrey Hill | September 19, 2012
[Satellite TODAY 09-19-12] The National Space Society (NSS) has urged U.S. Congress to support the national space program and the domestic launch sector during a recent visit to Capitol Hill, NSS confirmed Sept. 19.
NSS advocated for several components of the U.S. space program, including: development of the next generation of launch vehicles; full support by Congress for the commercial launch industry to restore American access to the International Space Station, with NASA focusing its resources on exploration; and the establishment of timelines and goals for future human space activities, including at least one intermediate destination beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
“We found broad bi-partisan support for our space program, yet our space program continues to be subject to the budgetary pressures of these difficult fiscal times,” NSS Executive Vice President Rick Zucker said in a statement. “With the ever increasing threat of the implementation of further budget cuts, members of the space advocacy community must continue to speak out in order to have their voices heard.”