the Texas proposal

[neubjr]

Recently I came across the information that Congressman Lampson from Texas has initroduced the "Space Exploration Act of 2002" to Congress.

This act will basically push the Human space program leaps and boudns forward. However, to some it seems that he is trying to put everything in this one bill. He wants to have a vehicle to go to the Libration points, to lunar orbit, and to Mars orbit within the next 20 years, as well as keeping the space station etc.... I would be more than thrilled if all this happens. However, I am doubtful that such an enthusiastic bill will not get passed.

I just wanted to hear other comments on this bill, and see what people thought. In my opinion it is great that he is introducing something like this, but I have heard people say that if they had maybe toned it down a little more it could get passed but that it won't if left the way it is now. I actually believe that putting such an enthusiastic bill is the right way to go. This shows that there is need and interests for lots, and the congress always has the option of cutting it down.

But anyways... comments?

neubjr.

[neubjr]

Sorry, if you have not heard of the bill or know what it says, here is a little bit about the "Space Exploration Act of 2002."

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=8340

neubjr.

[PhysBrain]

Well, either one of two outcomes are likely. EIther the bill becomes the basis of our national space exploration policy for the next two decades, or it is largely ignored or underfunded and it will fall by the historical wayside.

The way I see it, this bill is a step in the right direction towards establishing a space exploration and development policy at the national level. Setting a positive space policy at the Federal level is crucial to the manned space exploration program as it currently stands. Without political support from Washington DC, it would be very difficult to find the financial resources (from the government or private industry) to establish and maintain such an ambitious research and development program. Once the government has shown an interest, and a willingness to invest, in space exploration, there will be no shortage of government labs, academic institutions, and private industry who will rush to try and fulfill the goals of the program.

Assuming this bill gets passed and even signed into law, there is one thing which will kill this initiative more certainly than voting it down in the first place would have: unrealistic expectations. It will be INCREDIBLY expensive to develop and deploy the kinds of hardware described in this bill. There will very likely be cost overruns (especially if he's serious about meeting those deadlines) and the initial implementation plans will be changed and revised many times to adjust to whatever political winds are blowing (think space station).

If the success of the program is measured strictly by whether or not the goals set forth in this bill are accomplished, or can be accomplished in a reasonable time from for a reasonable cost, then the program will more than likely be doomed to failure.

If, however, the program is expected to stimulate the econonmy (create new jobs, create new industries, create new markets, sink tax dollars into a constructive endeavor, etc.), provide innovations (spinoffs from new knowledge gained and technology developed), inspires young people to dream of the stars (get educated, be productive, etc.), then the program stands a very good chance of being viewed as a success.

I look forward to seeing if this bill generates the necessary interest and sufficient funding from the federal government to revitalize our (somewhat) stalled manned space program.

[neubjr]

I know things like this have been said numerous times before, but I feel like they continually need to be said:

With the Space Exploration Act of 2002 introduced, perhaps it is time for Space organizations like SEDS to try to really push for this bill. As it stands I don't see much hope for getting it passed, however, if Space organizations really make a push for this it will at least show congress that there is need for either this bill to actually get passed, or another similar space policy bill.

It seems that recently the Space community has been sitting on its heels taking shot after shot from the rest of the world, and not really doing anything to defend itself.

The Space Exploration Act of 2002 (whether it becomes legislation or not) is a great opportunity for the Space community. All we need to do is take advantage of it to influence the government and show that there is great interest in space!

I would like to encourage everyone that reads this message to get in contact with their senators and representatives and simply mention how they support such a bill as this one.

I am also interested in seeing if there is something more that SEDS as an organization can do to push this bill. Petitions with signatures are always a good thing, but is there more? I KNOW that there is more that SEDS can do. The question simply remains is there the will and man power to do it?

Just a thought, but if nothing else, please just contact your congressman with a short note supporting space.

neubjr.

[K6-III]

I'm willing to commit myself and "raise an army of sorts" to fight for this issue....