Report from Washington, D.C.
Report on Washington, D.C., Activities
Written by: developer
On May 18, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, & Technology, Space Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, “Next Steps to Mars: Deep Space Habitats.”
The diverse witness panel attracted a full gallery, and included:
- Jason Crusan, Director, Advanced Exploration Systems, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA
- John Elbon, Vice President and General Manager, Space Exploration, Boeing Defense, Space, and Security, The Boeing Company
- Wanda Sigur, Vice President and General Manager, Civil Space, Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Frank Culbertson, President, Space Systems Group, Orbital ATK
- Andy Weir, author, The Martian
Topics discussed at the hearing included space station design and constriction, and propulsion, as protection for astronauts from harmful radiation on long-duration missions. Despite some disagreements regarding the most appropriate sub-accounts within which to commit funds within NASA, witnesses and members of Congress alike agreed that commitment to a strategic, long-term plan is necessary to land humans on Mars by the 2030s.
On the morning of May 23, the Space Foundation partnered with the Air Force Association’s Mitchell Institute to present a breakfast on Capitol Hill featuring NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden. Administrator Bolden updated the audience on a number of NASA programs, as well as his many upcoming travel plans to further expand international cooperation.
The Space Foundation’s Washington, D.C., office may be contacted at:
1655 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite 910
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone +1.202.618.3060
This article is part of Space Watch: June 2016 (Volume: 15, Issue: 6).