President-elect Trump – Human Space Exploration Update

Pence to Chair National Space Council:  Trump advisor sees Pence playing a major role in space policy  Vice President-elect Mike Pence is likely to help shape U.S. space policy under the next administration, according to Robert Walker, the former U.S. congressman and chair of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. One role Pence seems eager to embrace is as chair of a revived National Space Council, a cabinet-level policy group, Walker said.

Trump Transition and Space:  Trump’s first 100 days: Space  NASA’s current course will be determined, perhaps, by who the President-elect selects to succeed current Administrator, Charles Bolden — either a newcomer or an aerospace industry veteran. As the first 100 days of the new administration unfold, the nation should learn more about its overall plans for tax cuts and programs to upgrade the nation’s roads, bridges and airports. Those plans should reveal what kinds of resources might be available for exploration, though the report concludes that as a discretionary enterprise NASA could face a bleak future. If a National Space Council is restored, it will likely be led by Vice President-elect Mike Pence.  (See also:  NASA gets first “landing party” member — Chris Shank; Commercial space in the next administration; Recommendations to the next administration regarding commercial space; With Trump, Gingrich and GOP calling the shots, NASA may go back to the moon; The moon may once again play a significant role in the U.S. space program; Trump space policy to aim for Mars and beyond)

Coalition for Deep Space Exploration:  AIA, CSE call on Trump administration to support space exploration road map  With the broad support of the Aerospace Industries Association and the Citizens for Space Exploration, the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration is offering a bipartisan space road map with seven proposals for the new administration of President-elect Trump and Congress to advance human space exploration. Those include continued efforts to develop and flight test NASA’s Space Launch System exploration rocket and Orion crew capsule; launch the James Webb Telescope in late 2018; make the most of the International Space Station to advance space technologies and foster more commercial activity in low Earth orbit; as well as streamline NASA’s bureaucracy and procurement processes.

Citizens for Space Exploration – a pro-space, taxpayer, grassroots advocacy group (http://www.bayareahouston.com/content/c_s_e/c_s_e) – has traveled to Washington, D.C. the past 24 years to meet face-to-face with Members/staff of Congress to discuss the value of America’s investment in space exploration. In order to sustain that dialogue on a regular basis, Citizens distributes “Space Exploration Update” to Congressional offices on a weekly basis. The intent is to provide an easy, quick way to stay abreast of key human space exploration program and policy developments.