National Space Society Partners with the Coalition For Space Exploration to advocate new vision

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jul. 26, 2004) — The National Space Society and the Coalition for Space Exploration have agreed to join forces to help promote greater public understanding of and support for the nation’s new Vision for Space Exploration.

“The National Space Society has established itself during the past 30 years as a highly effective advocate for space exploration at a grass roots level,” said Jeff Carr, communications director for United Space Alliance, a founding member of the Coalition for Space Exploration. “We look forward to working together as partners to ensure the public understands that this new vision is affordable, achievable, and meaningful.”

“The National Space Society (NSS) firmly believes the Vision for Space Exploration is the right thing for our country and our nation’s space program,” said George Whitesides, NSS Executive Director. “We look forward to working with the Coalition to activate public support for this incredible adventure, an adventure that will lead our nation toward a spacefaring civilization.”

The Vision for Space Exploration begins with the return to flight of the Space Shuttle and continues with completion of the International Space Station. As important human research is conducted aboard the orbiting outpost, robot probes will explore our solar system and reconnoiter for human missions to come.

Once the station is complete, NASA plans to retire the shuttle fleet in order to free up funding for the development of a new Constellation-class spaceship capable of taking humans back to the Moon. From there, piloted space flights to Mars and beyond will be possible.

This new era in space exploration will follow an affordable, achievable, stepping stone approach. Rather than an Apollo-like program requiring huge investments to reach a single destination in a short timeframe, this will be a journey that facilitates exploration on a go as you pay basis.

About the Coalition

The Coalition for Space Exploration is a collaborative effort whose mission is to ensure the United States will remain a leader in space, science and technology — key factors that will benefit the nation’s economy, gratify our need to explore, and maintain our national security. The Coalition seeks to generate momentum and enthusiasm for the newly focused national space exploration initiative by sharing the spirit-lifting excitement and tangible benefits of our space program with the general public and our nation’s leaders.

Founding members include ATK Alliant Techsystems, The Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin and United Space Alliance. Other members include Aerojet, Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI), California Space Authority, Florida Space Authority, Hamilton Sundstrand, Harris, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Moog, Pratt & Whitney, National Space and Satellite Alliance, and the Space Foundation.

Additional information about the Coalition and the nation’s Vision for Space Exploration can be found online at www.spacecoalition.com.

About the National Space Society

The National Space Society (NSS) is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizen’s voice on space. Founded in 1974 by Werner von Braun, the father of the Apollo moon program, NSS has more than 20,000 supporters and 50 chapters across the country.

Additional information about NSS, including instructions on how to join, can be found online at www.nss.org.