Bill ensures Houston has future in space flight

Bill ensures Houston has future in space flight
By U.S. SEN. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Members of the Houston NASA Community:

For more than 40 years, the United States has led the world in human space flight and the critical research and technology development that supports both exploration and scientific study. Each of you has worked tirelessly to maintain this leadership and to inspire the nation and the world to improve our understanding of the universe. We do not often pause to publicly acknowledge the critical work you do.

I want to thank you for your dedication, professionalism and commitment through this very difficult period of uncertainty.

Earlier this year, the outlook for NASA was grim as we confronted a budget environment that would not support the continued human space flight activities of the agency without some significant changes. At the same time, the administration's proposal would have canceled the Constellation program and put off a decision on a heavy-lift launch vehicle for up to five years. In my judgment, such a proposal would have led to the rapid and catastrophic loss of personnel and skills needed to develop a new launch system, and it would have effectively ended the era of U.S. dominance in space exploration while threatening our utilization of and investment in the International Space Station. The president's original proposal endangered the missions that are the lifeblood of the Johnson Space Center, and crippling job losses seemed inevitable. NASA's skilled work force in other states feared similar consequences.

On Sept. 29, Congress passed an authorization bill for NASA that will go a long way toward preserving the future of human space flight in America. Some members of Congress disagreed on several aspects of the legislation, but the realities of the federal budget forced us to downsize our approach even as we maintained our ambition. The president is expected to sign this measure into law. I believe the new law provides a robust mission for NASA with significant increases in funding for scientific research and technology development and a continuing commitment to exploration. I am extremely pleased that the Houston delegation, including Reps. Pete Olson, Gene Green, John Culberson, Kevin Brady, Al Green, Sheila Jackson Lee and Ted Poe, worked together to help protect this city's proud heritage of space exploration and scientific excellence.

The crux of the new approach is simple — we will build one launch vehicle and crew exploration vehicle instead of the multiple vehicles and development phases provided for under the Constellation program. We will use as many of the skills, parts and resources we already have on hand as possible to lower development costs without compromising capability or performance. Ensuring there is a launch system and exploration vehicle under development preserves the key missions of the Johnson Space Center. There will be an enduring need for Mission Control and astronaut training. We have also added an extra shuttle flight, which will allow for the delivery of additional supplies to ensure the viability, extension and use of the space station, another key function of the Johnson Space Center. This extra flight will also preserve critical skills and work force, much of which can be transitioned to the new program.

I fought for this legislation because it was the right solution to the extraordinary challenge we were presented. But, I want to be very clear - this is not the end of our struggle. The new law is a foundation upon which to build as we move forward toward a sustainable American space program with a robust mission for the Johnson Space Center and a bright future for its brain trust. But, we are not there yet.

As a community, we should brace ourselves for challenges as the work forces of Johnson Space Center and NASA contractors are calibrated to the new mission. There are some who have already lost their jobs, and others may follow; but the core of our mission and the vast majority of our talented scientists, engineers and technicians will remain. Undoubtedly, in the months ahead, more questions will be raised about NASA funding and the feasibility of the approach laid out in the new law. Houston, I know the enormity of this task, and I promise that my work to advance the future of human space flight and to preserve the critical role of the Johnson Space Center will continue.

I want to personally thank the Houston community for swiftly offering assistance to displaced NASA employees and contractors. I hope businesses within the aerospace industry will take advantage of the world-class skills these workers possess and will work together with community leaders to identify further opportunities. I will continue my efforts to ensure full and faithful implementation of the new law.

The challenges are not behind us, and it will take the coordinated efforts of this community to sustain the losses we may still yet face and those that have already befallen some. I hope we will all be mindful, however, of the good news - Houston, we have a future.

Hutchison, a Republican, is the senior U.S. senator from Texas.