Expert Panel Tells Congress: NASA Needs New Direction

"A panel of five witnesses, including several former NASA officials, complained to the House Science Committee Thursday that the U.S. space program is floundering in Earth orbit and needs to be set upon a new course."

"Most of the witnesses agreed that NASA needed a clearer vision and that any new course for NASA ought to include sending humans to Mars. There was also wide agreement that “destination specific visions have the best chance of concentrating resources and producing results. But opinions varied on just how and when to go about making such a trip a reality."

NASAwatch/spaceref has a lot more detail.

Prepared Statement of Dr. Bruce Murray

Prepared Statement of Dr. Michael D. Griffin

Prepared Statement of Dr. Wesley T. Huntress, Jr.

Prepared Statement of Dr. Matthew B. Koss

Prepared Statement of Dr. Alex Roland

Keith's editor's note: "Drs. Griffin, Huntress, and Murray all called for dramatic increases in NASA's budget and a clear, cogent focus on a clear destination in space - going to the Moon/and or Mars featured prominently in their remarks. Dr. Koss seemed a bit unsure of where he stood, and Dr. Roland repeated his assertion that we should slow down and that we retreat from human spaceflight with our tail between our legs."

Additional background available in article at spaceref.

A lot of disagreement over the details though including how strong to push for Mars. This is one of the space communities big problems - Lack of focus and consistent message. It's no wonder NASA has the same problem only bigger with other driving forces like political pork involved.

Regards,
Mark