Digital Sprocket

NASA’s budget took a $500 million hit from Congress earlier this year. Most of the damage was done to Exploration systems and the development of the Orion/Ares spacecraft. Under the currently reduced budget, it will be impossible for NASA to put the Orion crew module into space before the Space Shuttle retires in 2010. Delaying the production of the Shuttle’s replacement will have a ripple effect on the rest of NASA’s exploration plans and lengthen the timeline for every other project.

The Mars Society is committed to human spaceflight, and establishing long-term bases on the red planet, which are also goals of the President’s Vision for Space Exploration. They aren’t just sitting around complaining about the budget situation, but mobilizing their members across the nation in an effort to return funding to the beleaguered agency. Over the next week, Society members and other spaceflight supporters will call and fax Congressmen to remind them of NASA’s importance, and to request that Congress fund the agency at the level requested by the President.

If you agree that NASA’s budget should be returned to projected levels, a mere $16 billion, then see the complete message from the Mars Society below and call your Congressmen:

The Mars Society Phone and Fax Blitz
February 21, 2007
For further information about the Mars Society, visit our website at
www.marssociety.org

The Vision for Space Exploration (VSE) is under attack. In a
Continuing Resolution (CR), Congress has cut $500 million from the
2007 NASA budget, with $900 million cut from the Exploration mission
directorate repsonsbile for implementing the Moon-Mars initiative.
This cut will hurt VSE and could be the first volley in a new round
of attempts to kill it. There are those in Congress who would like to
eliminate human space flight all together. This job will be much
easier if they only hear whimpers from supporters of space
exploration.

We need to tell Congress in no uncertain terms that VSE is vital to
our nation and that they need to restore the funds that have been
cannibalized from the 2007 budget. In addition, they need to support
a healthy increase in funding in the 2008 budget.

We hope that members of the Mars Society (and other interested
people) will make hundreds of telephone calls and send hundreds of
faxes (for faxes, see bottom of page) to Congress to send them the
message that the american people want a space program that is really
going somewhere.

JUST TAKE A FEW MINUTES OUT OF YOUR DAY! IT IS EASY! And report
back to us once you’ve called at marspolitics@yahoo.com.

What should you say when you call the office?

Ask for the staffer who deals with space and/or science issues. There
is a good chance you will be put into voice mail. However, if you
speak to a staffer or leave a voice-mail message, here are some key
themes to emphasize -

- Restore the money removed from the NASA 2007 budget in the
Continuing Resolution (CV). This cut could seriously impede the
forward motion of this program.

- Congress should support AT LEAST the funding increase that was
presented in the 2008 NASA budget.(See-
http://space.com/news/070205_nasa_budget.html)

- Remind them that Mars is an essential part of the Vision for Space
Exploration and that you hope that this program can be achieved as
quickly and efficiently as possible.

NOTE: When speaking to Congressional staffers, be polite—even if they
hold a different view from your own. At the end of your conversation,
thank them for taking the time to speak with you.

If you don’t know who your United States Senators and Representative
is, you can find that information at www.senate.gov and
www.house.gov. If you have any problems with process, feel free to
contact me at marspolitics@yahoo.com.

FAXES

The Mars Society will automatically send your faxes.

1. Go to http://congress.marssociety.org
2. Enter the username of “tms” (no quotes) and then enter the
password of “Congress” (no quotes)
3. Fill in your name and address and then write your letter. The
fax generator will automatically send faxes to your United States
Senators and Representative. It will also provide the proper heading
to the fax. You do not need to add a heading.
4. If you have any problems getting the fax generator to work,
contact Alex Kirk at alex@schnarff.com

An in-depth discussion of the politics surrounding the VSE will be
held at the 10th International Mars Society Conventiuon, Aug 30-Sept
2, UCLA, Los Angeles. Registration is now open at www.marssociety.org

For further information about the Mars Society, visit our website at
www.marssociety.org