Yesterday, in an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, a bunch of former astronauts joined Dr. Sally Ride, the first US female to fly to space, and former astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao, in endorsing the idea that it is time to give commercial spaceflight industry a chance, and let NASA work on the harder, larger goals, like going beyond LEO, to the moon, to asteroids, and ultimately Mars. Its time for Commercial Spaceflight to become complimentary to NASA.
We enthusiastically endorse this robust vision for the future of human spaceflight—a vision in which NASA is free to concentrate on the challenges of exploration beyond low Earth orbit while private commerce enables increased activity in Earth orbit. We strongly agree with the Augustine Committee's endorsement of commercial human spaceflight, and we encourage the White House and Congress to embrace this positive vision for our nation's future in space.
Who are the astronauts joining the Augustine Committee in endorsing Commercial crew? Buzz Aldrin, Ken Bowersox, Jake Garn, Robert Gibson, Hank Hartsfield, John Herrington, Byron Lichtenberg, John Lounge, Rick Searfoss, Norman Thagard, Kathryn Thornton, Jim Voss and Charles Walker.
Concerning safety:
We are fully confident that the commercial spaceflight sector can provide a level of safety equal to that offered by the venerable Russian Soyuz system, which has flown safely for the last 38 years, and exceeding that of the Space Shuttle.
Concerning the economic growth potential offered by commercial crew:
Commercial human spaceflight will also benefit America's economic competitiveness. The aerospace industry has long been one of the few American industries with a positive trade surplus. Strengthening this industry through investment in commercial development will improve the ability of the American aerospace industry to compete with foreign companies. This will result in more dollars spent on aerospace here in America, and more in hi-tech aerospace jobs.
The growth potential offered by space is huge. Someone else agreeing that we need to fund Commercial Crew, Bob Bigelow, who is funding a series of private space station. Earlier this week Mr. Bigelow expanded on what Commercial spaceflight is, and its viability. Its well worth a read, and I strongly recommend it.
With a little luck, we might finally see the launch of a true commercial spaceflight industry, within the next 2 years or so