Speaking on behalf of the cadre of organizations -- tentatively calling themselves the Space Exploration Alliance (SEA) -- Huddleston said the groups are focused on redirecting NASAs human program in space toward space exploration. And that includes going to the Moon, and then from the Moon to Marsand beyond.
Collective view
Marc Schlather, President of ProSpace, said that the alliance of groups is somewhat unprecedented. For the most part, space groups have carried individual banners of support for a varying list of projects. Different goal sets has precluded, in many cases, cooperation between groups, he noted.
In our collective view it is critically important for this nation to delineate and execute a clearly defined, steadily supported space exploration agenda, Schlather said.
The organizations involved include: Aerospace Industries Association, Aerospace States Association, American Astronautical Society, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, California Space Authority, Florida Space Authority, The Mars Society, National Coalition of Spaceport States, National Space Society, The Planetary Society, ProSpace, Space Access Society and Space Frontier Foundation.
In total, the groups standing behind a new space exploration agenda total almost one million Americans as members or as employees of member companies.
United cause
Were delighted to partner with so many wonderful organizations, said Bruce Mahone, Director, Space Policy for the Aerospace Industries Association. This exploration initiative is so broad and so all-encompassing that every single group can benefit from it, he said.
Mahone said a key component of moving forward on a new space vision is maintaining the countrys industrial base. Other pluses include inspiring students to help reenergize the countrys space workforce, as well as stimulating the American economy, he said.
This is one initiative where we are united, Mahone said.
Wanted: political and public support
The first goal as a group is to work for broad Congressional support of the new national vision for space exploration outside of low earth orbit.
One early objective of the confab of groups is to aggressively refute the impression that any Moon, Mars and beyond agenda is too expensive for this country to take on. In a group statement today, the alliance said: Modest but steady growth in our national expenditures on space can move the nation toward these important goals, and the benefits those expenditures will provide.
Moreover, the groups are already at work to secure first year funding for the initiative, which they view as a necessary first step for in-depth planning of the exploration program to commence in earnest.
Huddleston said there is work to do -- not only on Capitol Hill, but in gaining support from the taxpaying voter.
America does believe in this. But what we have to do is to make sure that the American people understand what it is thats being proposed and how it will impact them as a societyand I believe they will come onboard, Huddleston concluded.
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