Houston We Have A Message

HOUSTON, April 25, 2010 - The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) held a rally today at the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel and urged hundreds of supporters of the U.S. manned space program to send a message that could be heard all the way back in Washington, D.C.

“It’s time to let Congress know that American astronauts deserve better than a heavily outsourced space program that relies on Russian, Japanese and even Chinese contractors to provide transportation to the International Space Station (ISS),” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “If NASA and the Obama administration have their way, American astronauts will be reduced to hitchhiking to the ISS.”

Speaker after speaker called on President Obama to reconsider his plans to terminate the Constellation program and commercialize the shuttle program. More than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs in Texas, Florida and other states are associated with the two programs.

While the president’s space budget allocates an extra $6 billion for NASA over the next six years, thousands of highly-skilled jobs would be eliminated as the agency turned to private contractors to develop launch rockets and crew capsules.

“Do we really want to risk our astronauts’ safety on equipment and technology developed by for-profit companies with unproven track records in safety and reliability?” asked Buffenbarger. “The manned space program in the United States has been the pride of the nation and the envy of the world for more than 50 years. It has more than earned our continued support."

Vision4Space

http://vision4space.net/

"Vison4Space brings not only space workers across the nation together, but those who share the dream of JFK, who know we must continue our destiny in space. We want to build a groundswell of support that will be heard in the Halls of Congress. We want to save our proud American space program. Join our Facebook group, follow us on twitter and help our Vison4Space grow."

Save Space Community Rally

We still need volunteers to work the rally. No one will be stuck outside during the rally. Once the rally begins we will all move inside. Call me if you can help. (321 446-7092).

Lew

Kosmas added to 'Save Space' rally

As per www.floridatoday.com :

Rep. Suzanne Kosmas has been added to the roster of speakers for Sunday's "Save Space" community rally at the Cocoa Expo Sports Center.

The rally is designed to emphasize that human space exploration should be the critical aspect of NASA policy.

Brevard County Commissioner Robin Fisher, who is the primary organizer of the free event, said both NASA and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex have expressed support for the community rally, and will be providing educational displays.

Kosmas will join U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, Florida Sen. Mike Haridopolos, Brevard County School Board member Robert Jordan, Fisher and astronauts Jon McBride, Winston Scott and Bob Springer as speakers.

BBC Report on the End of Shuttle

Could Not Say It Better