PORT CANAVERAL - Space
industry representatives heard magic words -- but few specifics -- from
presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani after they explained that the U.S. faces a five-year gap in human spaceflight.
"This is not
acceptable," said the Republican, on a multiday trek through Florida to boost his flagging status in the presidential
race. "America should be No. 1 and shouldn't have to be dependent on
other countries."
About 35 space industry
leaders met with Giuliani early Friday evening in Port Canaveral to push their
vision of a well-funded space industry. Later, the former New York City mayor
appeared before 200 sign-waving supporters at the American Police Hall of Fame
and Museum in Titusville.
Giuliani's audience at the
port hopes his interest will make funding the space industry a national
priority.
A lack of funding will
leave a five-year "gap" between the end of the shuttle program in
2010 and the launch of the next
generation space vehicle. During that time, U.S. astronauts will depend on
Russian rockets to reach the International Space Station, which was largely
funded with U.S. dollars.
"Our goal is, let's
make sure we close this gap," Giuliani said after hearing the consequences
of losing leadership in the space industry.
Among those painting a
bleak picture:
- Retired
Air Force Lt. Col. Mike Rein, who said that losing the lead in the space
technology would be like an army losing the high ground during battle.
"Militaries and nations win wars by owning the high ground,"
said Rein, now communications manager for United Launch Alliance.
"Space is the high ground of the future, and we must own it at all
times."
- Norman
Bobczynski, director of launch operation for Space Exploration
Corporation, who said the United States is fourth in the number of
commercial launches worldwide. "This isn't about a nice campaign
issue," Bobczynski said. "This is about a national crisis."
In Titusville, Giuliani
touched on several topics, including his tax proposal and the military, which
he said needs to be increased to stay on the offensive against terrorists and
adversarial countries. He blasted declines made during the 1990s. "We have
to make up for the so-called peace dividend," he said.
June Bair of Titusville wanted to hear Giuliani speak in person so she could make up her mind about him
as a candidate. "When you hear (candidates), you get a lot different idea
than when you hear them on TV," she said. She said she liked what she
heard, particularly his tax plan.
Hours earlier, Giuliani
toured Kennedy Space Center with his wife, Judith. He viewed shuttle Atlantis, scheduled
for a Feb. 7 launch after a two-month delay. "It's remarkable to see
it up close," Giuliani said. "The space program is one of America's remarkable achievements."
He noted that the U.S. had reached the moon with a bipartisan program that spanned both Democratic and
Republican administrations. "We have to get back to that," he said.
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