May 23, 2008
Coalition For Space Exploration: Asleep At The Throttle Again
Editor's note: Once again the Coalition for Space Exploration - the organization set up back in 2004 to promote the VSE (the one that all the big aerospace companies pour huge amounts of money into) - is asleep at the throttle. This organization is supposed to be enhancing awareness about space policy and space advocacy. Instead it is inert and behind the times.
Earlier this week the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics unanimously passed HR 6063, the NASA Authorization Act of 2008. This is the reauthorization of a similar bill enacted into law in 2005 which made NASA's implementation of the VSE a matter of public law and national policy. You would think that the coalition - with its $20,000 a month website - would be on top of such things. Think again.
If you look at their press release page - there is nothing about the this new legislation - its introduction, subcommittee hearings, votes - Nothing. Nor was this markup included in their calendar. What are they doing with all of this aerospace money?
VSE Hearing (Coalition drops the ball again), earlier post
Coalition for Space Exploration Drops The Ball, earlier post
Yawn - Its The Coalition for Space Exploration, earlier post
What Does the Coalition for Space Exploration Actually Do?, earlier post
Posted by kcowing at May 23, 2008 8:42 AM
Here's one for you. I went to their web page and drilled down to find who the member companies are. Turns out Northrop Grumman is listed twice. Click on the bottom NG logo and it takes you the the United Space Alliance site. This could get some good rumors started.
Somebody is indeed asleep at the throttle.
Posted by: stu at May 22, 2008 11:13 PMWhile the likelihood that H.R. 6063 becomes law this year is very slight, because NASA Authorizations are never without controversy and are not must pass, and any legislation that falls into that category has only a very slight chance of making it through in this politically charged election year. Even given the dim chances of the NASA VSE reauthorization passing it is hard to determine what impact the coalition is having either on moving the public or moving the Members on Capitol Hill in support of the VSE. It seems like a lot of money is going for very very little. That is the type of legacy that will doom the VSE.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 23, 2008 11:29 AMIMHO such organizations tend to be filled with many (not all) folks that are there as "hired help" and are not internally motivated to do nothing but collect a paycheck, build a resume and move on. Do not confuse them as being some "von Braun"-type advocate.
Also IMHO, they tend to be "C students". Maybe I'm wrong, but what we are seeing from this organization is pretty much what I would expect.
It is a shame that, in general, those of us who are technical people do a poor job of advocating outside of the community. Let's hope this changes...
Posted by: Will F at May 23, 2008 11:35 AMI think you guys aren’t getting it at all. The Coalition doesn’t seem to be a “Breaking News” reporting agency at all. When I go to their site, I see news and content being pulled from all over the industry. This is actually very cool to me. I like the idea of aggregating content from everywhere instead of it being splintered and having to dig around to find stuff. I was out at the AMES Research center for Yuri’s night and saw them there. Their booth was packed with curious people having a good time. If you ask me, they’re doing a great job getting the word out … and out to the public, not just us space geeks who spend time bogging about stuff the public isn’t so interested in.
Editor's response: you miss my point, the Coalition is being paid (among other things) to keep a close eye on Congress, among other things. They are not doing so.
Posted by: Jerome Crooks at May 27, 2008 5:10 PM