CORPORATE MEMBERS

• PARTNERS •
The Aerospace Corporation
Analytical Graphics, Inc.
Arianespace, Inc.
ATK Thiokol
BAE Systems
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
The Boeing Company
Booz Allen Hamilton
Computer Sciences
Corporation
Eastman Kodak Company
Florida Space Authority
GE Johnson Construction
Company
General Dynamics
Harris Corporation
Holland & Hart LLP
Integral Systems, Inc.
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Network Appliance, Inc.
Northrop Grumman
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Raytheon Company
SPACE.com
Space News
Spectrum Astro, Inc.
Swales Aerospace
United Space Alliance

• PATRONS •
Aerojet
Analex
AT&T Government Markets
AXA Space
CMC Electronics Cincinnati
CSP Associates, Inc.
DFI International
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
Honeywell Space Systems
Infinite Links
Inmarsat
ITT Industries
ManTech International Corporation
MicroSat Systems
Pratt & Whitney Space Propulsion
SpaceVest
Stellar Solutions
Titan Corporation
Valador, Inc.

SPACE FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John Higginbotham,
SpaceVest,
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable
Robert S. Walker, Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates,
SECRETARY
Dr. Jaleh Daie,
Aurora Equity LLC, TREASURER
Dr. William F. Ballhaus, Jr.,
The Aerospace Corporation
Dr. Guion S. Bluford, Jr.,
Aerospace Technology Group
Wes Bush, Northrop Grumman Space Technology
Lou Dobbs,
CNN, Lou Dobbs Moneyline
Gen. Howell Estes III, USAF (Retired),
Howell Estes & Associates, Inc.
William MacDonald 'Mac' Evans, Former President,
Canadian Space Agency
Paul Graziani,
Analytical Graphics, Inc.
Lon C. Levin,
XM Satellite Radio; Mobile Satellite Ventures
Richard P. MacLeod,
President Emeritus,
Space Foundation
Joanne Maguire, Lockheed Martin Space & Strategic Missiles
Gen. Thomas S. Moorman, Jr., USAF (Retired),
Booz Allen Hamilton
Michael I. Mott,
The Boeing Company – NASA Systems
Gen. John 'Pete' L. Piotrowski USAF (Retired), Science Applications International Corp.
VADM Richard H. Truly, USN (Retired),
National Renewable Energy Lab
Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson,
Rose Center for Earth and Science
The Honorable Robert S. Walker,
Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates

CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
William B. Tutt,
Tutco, LLC

DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Robert Anderson,
Rockwell
The Honorable Kenneth Kramer,
U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals
The Honorable Jaime Oaxaca, Coronado Communications Group
Dr. Simon Ramo,
Northrop Grumman

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS
Norman R. Augustine
CAPT James A. Lovell, Jr., USN (Retired)
Gen Bernard A. Schriever, USAF (Retired)

LIFE DIRECTORS
The Honorable E.C. "Pete" Aldridge
James M. Beggs
CAPT Eugene A. Cernan, USN (Retired)
The Honorable Don Fuqua
The Honorable Jake Garn
James B. Hayes
Bill Hudson
Sam F. Iacobellis
W. Bruce Kopper
The Honorable Bill Nelson
Richard D. O'Connor

Report From Washington

Brian E. Chase
Vice President, Washington Operations

 The Vision for Space Exploration continues to move through the legislative process on Capitol Hill. Although there was initial resistance to the new vision - largely because of the incorrect cost estimates that were being circulated in the media - members of Congress and their staff have a better understanding of the vision and how it will be funded. This is due, in no small part, to the efforts of the Coalition for Space Exploration, which continues to provide information to elected officials, the public, and media about the new vision.

That's not to say there aren't still some serious questions being asked in the key Congressional committees, so you can expect to see a robust discussion about the priorities, funding, and how NASA will be reorganized to support the vision. But, generally speaking members and their staff are supportive of the new vision; they just want more details on how it will unfold in the short term and ensure NASA has a plan to handle the tough issues on the road ahead. Importantly, the new leadership in Code T - NASA's new Office of Exploration Systems - has been very well received on the Hill. The head of that office, retired Admiral Craig Steidle, who ran the Joint Strike Fighter Program, is instilling quite a bit of confidence on the Hill that NASA is up for the task.

Additionally, one of the strongest champions for the new vision on Capitol Hill has been House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. He and his staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the vision was being accurately portrayed, and he is helping it move through the legislative process. While many other House Members - such as Reps. Dave Weldon, Bud Cramer, Tom Feeney, Lamar Smith, Steny Hoyer, and others - have also demonstrated strong leadership during the budget process, the presence of a senior Congressional leader such as Rep. DeLay has been vital to keep the vision on the legislative agenda.

Farnborough International 2004
International Space Pavilion

Elizabeth Wagner
Vice President, Strategic Partnership Development & Corporate Sales

Acknowledging the growing importance of space programs and systems to civil, commercial and military capabilities on the air, land and sea, the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC), organizers of Farnborough International 2004, the United Kingdom Industrial Space Committee (UKISC) have partnered with the Space Foundation (Colorado Springs) and Kallman Worldwide, Inc. (New Jersey) to present the International Space Pavilion (ISP) at Farnborough International from 19-25 July, 2004.

NASA has committed considerable resources and will have a large footprint in the ISP. Administrator Sean O’Keefe plans to be in attendance. Northrop Grumman was the first American company to commit to joining NASA and the Space Foundation in representing the U.S. Several other Space Foundation Corporate Members and key industry players are now finalizing their plans. Representatives from Canada, Europe, Russia, and China currently comprise the international presence in the ISP.

The Space Foundation has made it affordable for a company of any size to participate. For $5000, those seeking a presence in the ISP can purchase a kiosk that will be incorporated into the Space Foundation’s own exhibit. Literature racks will also be available for placement in front of the kiosk to display of a company’s promotional materials. Space Foundation staff will manage the exhibit throughout the week, and answer general questions and provide contact information. Turn-key packages for free-standing exhibits are still available through Kallman Worldwide. They offer numerous amenities to participating exhibitors. These include access to the Business Center, E-mail Center, Exhibitors’ Lounge, Conference/Meeting Rooms, and a briefing area.

Speakers from various U.S. agencies and the commercial marketplace will provide informational presentations at the International Space Pavilion Theater, and a team from the National Space Centre, Leicester UK, will be delivering a variety of interactive activities including workshops and demonstrations during the "public days." A space-themed pavilion will provide the 290,000 expected attendees with quick and easy access to representatives from leading companies, agencies and organizations in the space arena.

To make arrangements to exhibit, contact Elizabeth Wagner or Chuck Zimkas at 719.576.8000. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Policy and Public Affairs

Steve Eisenhart
Senior Vice President,
Policy & Public Affairs

Final Hearing for Commission to be Held at Asia Society

The President's Commission on Moon, Mars and Beyond will hold its fifth and final public hearing at the Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue, New York City, on May 3 and 4, 2004. SpaceVest and Space Foundation Chairman John Higginbotham is scheduled to testify to the Commission. Earlier this year, Dr. Patricia Arnold, Space Foundation Vice President for Education and Workforce Development, testified at Commission hearings in Dayton, Ohio.

The first day of testimony will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 3, and continue until 4:00 p.m. On Tuesday, May 4, the hearing will reconvene at 9:00 a.m. and adjourn at 3:30 p.m. From 3:00 to 3:30 p.m., the audience is invited to make comments. At 3:45 p.m., a news conference will be held. At 4:30 p.m. the Commissioners will discuss their findings; this discussion is open to the public.

Commission Chairman Pete Aldridge noted the appropriateness of the site: "International partnerships for space is part of the Commission's charter," he said. "The Asia Society and New York City itself are fitting sites, and we anticipate welcoming representatives from the European Space Agency, Russia, Japan, Canada, and Arianespace to this hearing."

The President's Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy (Moon, Mars and Beyond) is charged with building consensus, providing recommendations to the President regarding Moon research activities, increasing young people's interest in space science, and bringing in industry and other countries as space partners.

Sky Forum

The Foundation recently participated in the semi-annual Sky Forum conference conducted by the Satellite Broadcast and Communications Association (SBCA) in New York City. The Foundation was pleased to assist the hosts SBCA and Arianespace in securing NASA Chief of Staff John Schumacher to address a private dinner of leading financial analysts and conference speakers.

Corporate Challenge

In recent articles, I have discussed the need to start student science instruction at the earliest possible age. Unfortunately, this frequently seems to fall on deaf ears. I decided to do a small amount of research on my own. During the Space Career Fair for College Students held during the 20th National Space Symposium several weeks ago, I conducted a survey. I asked all 400+ attendees to fill out a questionnaire. Many questions were seeking both quantitative and qualitative data to assist the Space Foundation in constantly elevating this event.

However, I also included some questions that examine the bigger picture of workforce development. One of these was, "When do you believe science should be introduced into a child's school curriculum?" Over half the respondents said, "At a very early age through use of toys." The second largest group replied, "In early grade school years (K-4)." And the remainder responded, "No later than 6th grade." Very interesting!

As I keep reiterating, corporations are far more interested in the immediate payback of programs that support college students and several even help with high school programs. A few of our colleagues, who feel they are on the cutting edge, are pleased that they are assisting with science programs in middle school. But according to "science major" students, middle school is too late to begin effective science classes. I also asked surveyed students, "Did your K-12 schooling in math and science prepare you for college?" Only 13.5% said yes. This is dismal to say the least.

If we need to be teaching strong science curriculum Pre-k-6, then we are definitely faced with a huge challenge! Science specific content teachers are most usually in the high schools. Teachers Pre-K-6 have very little, if any, core science training and knowledge. They usually are intimidated by science, and quite frankly, scared to teach it. For those brave souls that do so, they may have interest, but typically lacking in science processes and information.

The only way to turn this around is through high-level and effective teacher professional development opportunities. Herein, lies challenge number two. School districts across the country are facing huge budget cuts. Money for teacher professional development is so depleted and compounded with low teacher salaries, a crisis exists. Teaching is the only profession I know of where teachers pay for advanced degrees strictly out of their own pocket.

The reality of the situation is that for a teacher to choose to take advanced classes and pay for them, means that is a highly dedicated teacher. There are more teachers out there who are this dedicated than many realize. The truth of the matter is, if we want our youth to acquire meaningful spiraling science instruction Pre-K-6th, when it is most needed, teachers must have financial support for effective training.

During the summer, the Space Foundation conducts an educator institute with five accredited science and space science graduate level courses. These classes are grounded in solid content and pedagogy; they expand teacher knowledge base, and are didactic and hands-on in delivery, and immediately transferable to classroom curriculum. In other words, they fill the content science gap. Teachers have taken some version of these classes for 20 years and sing their praises. Now more than ever before these courses are essential for teachers of all levels, but particularly Pre-K-6th grade teachers.

The challenge to corporate America is clear. If you really want to affect the workforce pipeline with a long-term solution, invest in teachers. Doing so will impact thousands of children. Every company needs to invest in America's youth. Please contact me to have your company sponsor at least one teacher for this years' summer institute. I guarantee it will be the best use of your company outreach funds and your investment will have a profoundly positive upon impact America's workforce and national safety.

Transcendental Exploration

In "Eight Steps to Happiness," Buddhist scholar Geshe Kelsang Gyatso offers some insightful observations on how coarse, base, uncaring and callous human discourse has become circa 2000. From media addicted to violent or pornographic content to the mudslinging ignorance of win-lose politics, venerable Gyatso argues that our ability to engage in thoughtful discourse on topics of meaning to humanity has dissipated – and we are the poorer for it. Tuning in to the current election-year political rhetoric, it is easy to conclude that Gyatso, a Tibetan scholar now living in the west, is well served by his insight. Since the dawn of time the desire to explore has been so fundamental to the human experience, and so instrumental in our growth as a species, thoughtful reflection upon what is important to humanity almost certainly leads to the conclusion: we must go in peace, for all human kind, to set sail on the exploration of our solar system as called for in America's new vision for space exploration. Most Americans know this, and in survey upon survey over the past two decades we have expressed overwhelming support for the nation's civil space program. Nonetheless, our politicians remain narrowly focused on "mail box issues" – ignoring the silent majority of support for space exploration in favor of pandering to the much smaller audience of squeaky wheels – the letter writing vested interests who, although small in number, set the mailboxes of elected officials on fire if their benefit or entitlement is threatened. This "squeaky wheel gets the grease" mindset has led to the all-too-familiar refrain on Capitol Hill, "I'm not getting any mail on that." Well, duh. Americans are not likely to be whipped into a letter-writing frenzy over an issue that they regard as such an apple-pie no-brainer. The challenge is for elected officials to act as leaders of public opinion rather than followers of their mailbox. The spirit of our nation, the bedrock of our technology base, the pool of intellectual capital that rises to meet any new threat to our national security – all are dependent upon a robust space exploration program. We need to abide the wisdom of Geshe Gyatso's insight, be thoughtful and mindful of how important space exploration is to our nation, and insist that our political leaders refrain from cheapening this noble cause that is so important to all of us on Earth. In this regard, President Bush is to be saluted for not politicizing space by flogging the vision as a means of stumping for re-election. Support for space has always been bi-partisan and the nation cannot afford to put itself in the position where our exploration of the solar system could suffer as the result of election politics. In that spirit, prominent members of Congress on both sides of the aisle should reconsider the cheap shots they've taken at space exploration in recent remarks that serve only the narrow interests of political one-upsmanship. We need for our leaders to be more "leader-like" than that. Similarly, whining about the infinitesimally small growth proposed for NASA's budget seems disingenuous at best. NASA gets less than one percent of the federal budget. It will continue to get less than one percent. Spend the other 99 percent on whatever seems best, but don't begrudge NASA its one percent. The value of that investment absolutely dwarfs almost anything else we could spend it on. (And, speaking of disingenuous and insincere, let's stop all this arrogant, posturing, "we haven't seen a plan" talk from people who know full well that NASA can't develop such a plan until the Presidential Moon/Mars Commission has finished its work.) A famous astrophysicist I know likes to joke that the dinosaurs are extinct because they weren't smart enough to build spaceships and explore the solar system. And, of course, they had brains the size of walnuts. Let's hope we can transcend the current coarse and unworthy discourse, so that some time in the future the same cannot be said of us. Elliot G. Pulham President & Chief Executive Officer

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