National Space Society Commends Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee's Unanimous Approval of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010

(Washington, DC -- July 15, 2010) (Updated July 16, 2010)

The National Space Society (NSS) commends the members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee’s for their unanimous agreement on the provisions of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010.  The authorization bill, which was approved by the Committee on July 15th, calls for a balanced and sustainable space program.  The bill establishes a bi-partisan framework that provides a basis for compromise between both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as with the Executive Branch.

Establishing the long-term goal of the human space flight and exploration efforts of NASA as the expansion of the permanent human presence beyond Low Earth Orbit is in keeping with and a necessary precursor to achieving the Society’s goals of people living and working in thriving communities beyond the Earth, and the use of the vast resources of space for the dramatic betterment of humanity.

The expansion of human space flight beyond the International Space Station and Low Earth Orbit requires a combination of launch systems, crew vehicles, infrastructure, and technology development all of which are integral to the bill as approved.

Read the full NSS statement here.

NEWS FLASH: NASA Senate Authorization Bill Action

(Washington, DC -- July 15, 2010)

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 which addresses the authorization of funding for NASA for the next three years (FY2011-2013).  The next step in the legislative process is for the bill to be voted on by the full Senate.  Currently available information on the bill is linked below.  Updates, analyses, press releases, and policy statements as applicable will be added as they emerge. 

What is in the NASA Authorization Act of 2010?

• NASA Authorization Act of 2010 U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transporation summary
• NASA Authorization Act of 2010 Section-by-Section Summary [PDF file]
• NASA Authorization Act of 2010 Press Conference after Committee Vote
• NASA Authorization Act of 2010 Full Text as approved by Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (Pending)

Statements by Interested Parties . . .

• Statement of Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
• Statement from Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ranking Member U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
  • Video of Senator Hutchinson's statement
• Statement from Senator Bill Nelson, Subcommittee Chairman, Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Science and Space
• Statement from Senator David Vitter, Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Science and Space

Racking & Stacking the numbers . . .

• OMB NASA FY 2011 Budget Request Fact Sheet as submitted to Congress
• Spacepolicyonline.com budget report showing as requested five year runout and basis for proposed increase over the next five years [PDF file]
• NASA Authorization Act of 2010 Budget Mark as approved by Committee on July 15, 2010 (Pending)

NEWS FLASH: NASA Senate Authorization Bill

(Washington, DC -- July 14, 2010)

Summaries and links to the actual text of the draft NASA 2010 authorization bill as of July 13, along with relevant proposed amendments, to be marked up in committee/subcommittee July 15 (Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Science and Space, chaired by Senator Bill Nelson), can be found on the NSS Blog.

National Space Society Co-Sponsors NewSpace 2010 Conference July 23-25

(Washington, DC -- June 26, 2010)

The National Space Society (NSS) is pleased to be a continuing co-Sponsor of the Space Frontier Foundation (SFF) NewSpace Conference. This year the conference will take place July 23-25, 2010, at the Domain Hotel in Silicon Valley, CA.

"The SFF NewSpace Conference seeks to expand the market place of ideas essential to growing the ecosystem of commercial/new space entrepreneurial companies and lay the foundation for opportunities to engage the wider space community," said Gary Barnhard, Executive Director of the National Space Society.

Register now at the NewSpace 2010 Registration Page. The conference will be held at the Domain Hotel in Silicon Valley, CA., which is also providing an affordable group rate for guests attending the conference. For more information, visit newspace2010.spacefrontier.org and or RSVP on Facebook today.

National Space Society Announces "NSS in Second Life" Machinima Contest Winner

(Washington, DC -- June 12, 2010)

The National Space Society announces that the winning video in the 2010 NSS in Second Life Machinima Contest is "Dreamer's Journey" by Rocksea Renegade. Second Life is an online 3D virtual world where participants can interact as avatars. Machinima is an art form consisting of computer animation of such virtual worlds. Entries were required to have an outer space theme, with 50% of the video taking place in the National Space Society Second Life simulation. Musician Craig Lyons graciously permitted his music to be used in the videos.

Anyone may view the winning video plus the 10 other videos entered into this contest on the NSS website. Participation in NSS in Second Life requires registration and installation of free viewing software.

NSS Congratulates SpaceX on a magnificent first launch of the Falcon 9

(Cape Canaveral, Florida -- June 4, 2010)

NSS congratulates SpaceX on a successful first launch of their Falcon 9 rocket.  The launch payload for this test flight was the aerodynamic test article for the Dragon cargo and crew module.  

Read Press Release here . . .  

NSS Salutes NASA for Two Decades of Discoveries by the Hubble Space Telescope

(Washington, DC -- April 24, 2010)

Twenty years ago (on April 24, 1990), the space shuttle Discovery (STS-31) lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center carrying the Hubble Space Telescope. Hubble's discoveries have revolutionized our understanding of the universe, and its images have captivated the world. NSS congratulates NASA for 20 years of awe and wonder provided by Hubble. Celebrate this anniversary along with us by accepting NASA's online invitation to take an interactive trip through the history, discoveries, and amazing imagery of Hubble.

NSS Applauds Presidents Commitment to the Mission of NASA and the role of space in providing for the Future

(Washington, DC -- April 15, 2010) (Updated April 16, 2010)

The National Space Society applauds President Obama for his expression of firm commitment for human spaceflight, and for moving forward in refining the administration's plan for space exploration.

Following the announcement of the President's FY2011 budget proposal for NASA, the Society advocated for the inclusion of more detailed goals.  NSS is gratified to see President Obama take another step in that direction to secure America's position as a global leader in space. This will foster a new space economy servicing the needs of America and humankind.

NSS will follow-up with subsequent statements as more details emerge.

Read full NSS statement here.

NSS Appoints Gary Pearce Barnhard as Executive Director

(Washington, DC -- April 10, 2010)

The National Space Society announced today that Gary Pearce Barnhard has been appointed the organization's Executive Director.

Over the last 34 years Mr. Barnhard has been extensively involved in the space advocacy community:  as the co-founder and Executive Director of the Maryland Alliance for Space Colonization (MASC) one of the most successful chapters/affiliates of the L5 Society, as founder and Executive Director of the Space Development Foundation, as a frequent public speaker on space advocacy issues, as an organizer of space related educational programs and conferences, and as participant in many other space advocacy organization activities.

Gary is a Life Member of the National Space Society and has served as an At-Large member of the NSS Board of Directors from 2004-2008, and as the Chairman of the NSS Executive Committee (akin to Chief Executive Officer) from 2004-2010. He received the National Space Society's Space Pioneer Award in 2004 and the NSS Award for Excellence in 2005 and 2008 for his efforts on the behalf of the Society.

Read full NSS statement here.

NSS Congratulates Brett Silcox on his NASA Appointment

(Washington, DC -- April 9, 2010)

The National Space Society wishes to congratulate Brett Silcox on his appointment to a new position as NASA Legislative & Industry Affairs Specialist.  Brett has been a very valuable part of the NSS leadership team serving as the NSS Associate Director since September of 2005, and performing many of the Executive Director duties since November of 2008.  We wish him the best as his career continues to evolve and look forward to working him and the rest of the NASA Headquarters team to address the legislative challenges before us. 

NSS Calls for Continued Human Spaceflight beyond Earth Orbit

(Washington, DC -- February 5, 2010)

The National Space Society (NSS) commends NASA and the Executive Branch for proposing to increase spending for science, technology, and sustainable economic development in space; however, we believe the President’s 2011 budget request would leave the job only partly done. NSS calls for the President and Congress to restore funding for human spaceflight beyond low-Earth orbit. NASA’s goal should be to make it possible to incorporate energy and resources from space into our economy and to extend human presence throughout the solar system.

Read full NSS statement here.