The goal of the effort is to have half a million letters (physical, paper letters–not just emails!) in the hands of government officials by October 31, 2009.

Check out the Save Space website to learn more and see ideas for letters you can send.

The Obama Administration on May 7, 2009 announced the launch of an independent review of planned U.S. human space flight activities with the goal of ensuring that the nation is on a vigorous and sustainable path to achieving its boldest aspirations in space. The review will be conducted by a blue-ribbon panel of experts led by Norman Augustine, the former CEO of Lockheed Martin, who served on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology under Democratic and Republican presidents and led the 1990 Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program and the 2007 National Academies commission that produced the landmark report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, as well as a number of other high-profile national commissions.

The “Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans” is to examine ongoing and planned National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) development activities, as well as potential alternatives, and present options for advancing a safe, innovative, affordable, and sustainable human space flight program in the years following Space Shuttle retirement. The panel will work closely with NASA and will seek input from Congress, the White House, the

public, industry, and international partners as it develops its options. It is to present its results in time to support an Administration decision on the way forward by August 2009.

Be sure to read the Obama Space Policy and get ready for 2009.

Check back soon to see the next phase of life for the Obamanauts!

TITUSVILLE – On SATURDAY, November 1, former Apollo crew member Rusty Schweickart will launch final canvassing and Get Out the Vote efforts for the Obama-Biden campaign. Schweikart will then join the Obamanauts – Space Coast residents who support Barack Obama – along with hundreds of volunteers from every corner of the state to knock on doors this weekend to personally contact thousands of voters before Election Day and encourage them to take advantage of the last days of early voting.

Floridians up and down the Space Coast are excited and energized about the Obama-Biden plan to revitalize America’s space program by investing an additional $2 billion in NASA to reduce the gap anticipated after the Space Shuttle is retired, and restore America’s leadership in technology and development – a commitment that will help retain and strengthen the space workforce.

Schweickart first joined NASA in 1963, and was the Lunar Module pilot on the Apollo 9 mission, the first mission to test the moon landing vehicle in space. He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1997.

Early voting in Florida began Monday, October 20. Early voting locations in Brevard County will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM through Saturday, November 1. Brevard County does not offer early voting on Sunday. All voters are permitted to cast their ballots at any designated early voting location in their county, regardless of where they live. For specific voting times and locations, visit www.voteforchange.com or call 1-877-2FL-OBAMA.

EVENT DETAILS:

Media Opportunities: Astronaut Rusty Schweickart is available for one-on-one interviews. Contact Rachel Racusen at 803-873-1611 for booking.
7:00-9:00 AM

Rusty Schweickart, Obamanauts Launch GOTV Canvass 
Titusville Obama Staging Location
Wear a space shirt to show you are an Obmanaut!
312 Palm Ave S.
Titusville, FL
Arrive by 9:30am for canvassing instructions, then return at 5:30pm to cast your vote with Rusty!

[via SpaceRef.com]

“As a leader in the commercial space industry, I am seriously concerned that the United States has been losing its leadership in this strategic industry.  Our antiquated State Department export policies and the lack of ambitious and inspiring programs are causing a steady erosion in our share of the commercial launch industry.   The rest of the world is catching up fast, and their space capabilities may one day challenge our national security.

Obviously, the next president will have a full plate of issues to deal with, and space may not be at the top of their list. However, one candidate, Senator Barack Obama, seems to understand the challenges we face in space, and has put forward a policy that is refreshingly broad and specific.

Responding largely to concerns voiced by Florida’s voters, Senator Obama has offered an unambiguous pledge to right-size NASA’s budget. But his space policy is not devoted solely to NASA; it points to an Obama Administration’s support for space commercialization, space workforce retention, space research and technology development, national security space programs, space-based environmental monitoring, and using space to inspire our nation’s youth to excel in math and science.

For space-minded voters like myself, there really is only one choice in this presidential election: Senator Barack Obama. I hope Floridians will agree, because their votes are key in this tightly contested race.”

Peter H. Diamandis, MD
Chairman, X PRIZE Foundation
CEO, Zero Gravity Corporation
Managing Director, Space Adventures
Chairman, Rocket Racing League

Senator Biden on Reinvigorating our Space Program

When John F. Kennedy challenged the nation to go to the moon, he noted that the space industry not only demanded the best minds, it also created the best jobs.

Ladies and gentlemen, the objective was not just to go to the moon. But it was to get another 435,000 engineers and scientists and mathematicians.

When the Shuttle is retired, NASA estimates that 3,500 jobs could be lost – and that doesn’t count the impact on local businesses or the long-term cost of allowing our global leadership to atrophy. The Bush Administration has left our space program in a very difficult position. And John McCain, as Chairman of the Commerce Committee hasn’t helped. He oversaw the plan to retire the Space Shuttle before a replacement was ready.

Barack Obama and I have a different idea. We’re going to work with Bill Nelson; we’re going to invest an additional $2 billion in NASA to reduce the gap between when the Shuttle is retired and the when the next generation of space flight is introduced.

We want to reinvigorate our national space program and that includes creating an environment for a vibrant commercial space program.

What John F. Kennedy said 46 years ago, still resonates with us today: “Now it is time to take longer strides … for this nation to take a … leading role in space achievement.” That’s as true today as it was then. Folks, that’s the goal that Bill Nelson, Barack, and I share.

As it did in the Kennedy Administration — it will help create a new generation of engineers, mathematicians, scientists… and a few more astronauts – like Bill Nelson, as well. It’s a goal that will not only inspire the nation, it will also create jobs.

Commander Mike Fincke and Flight Engineer Greg Chamitoff are living and working onboard the International Space Station. Though they are 220 miles above Earth and orbiting at 17,500 miles per hour, they will still be able to participate in the upcoming election. A 1997 bill passed by Texas legislators sets up a technical procedure for astronauts — nearly all of whom live in Houston — to vote from space.

A secure electronic ballot, generated by the Harris and Brazoria County Clerk’s office, is uplinked by NASA’s Johnson Space Center Mission Control Center. An e-mail with crew member-specific credentials is sent from the County Clerk to the crew member. These credentials allow the crew member to access the secure ballot.

The astronauts will cast their votes and a secure completed ballot is downlinked and delivered back to the County Clerks Office by e-mail to be officially recorded.

To highlight their unique voting situation and to encourage others to exercise their civic duty, Fincke and Chamitoff sent this special message.

from CollectSPACE
also see WIRED Science

This week, Apollo astronaut Rusty Schweickart, founder and past president of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE), and former Space Shuttle astronaut Dr. Kathy Thornton, have joined the “Obamanauts” to show their support for Sen. Barack Obama’s space policies. 

We are proud to have these veteran space travelers join our chorus of independent voices praising the forward-looking space policies of Sen. Obama.