Gene Cernan Backs Bill to Depoliticize NASA Administration

Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, gave his support to the Space Leadership Act as it was unveiled Thursday by U.S. Reps. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, John Culberson, R-Texas, Frank Wolf, R-Va., Pete Olson, R-Texas, Lamar Smith, R-Texas and James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis.

Americas Space Program is just that -- America's Space Program, Cernan, the commander of Apollo 17 in December 1972, stated in a release.

It has been a bipartisan commitment in the Congress since the days of JFKs challenge to go to the moon. But, it has lacked long-term stability and focus because of the constantly changing political whims of the executive branch of government. This legislation is critical to providing the much-needed continuity for the future of NASAs far-reaching goals in space.

The GOP-backed bill -- which will likely need to be refilled once a new Congress is seated after the start of the year -- seeks to restructure NASA by making it more independent by having the top administrator appointed for a 10-year run.

NASA has suffered from a lack of continuity and long-term vision, Posey stated in the release. Our bill fixes NASA's systemic problem and enables NASA to operate beyond short-term political agendas. It adds accountability to the agency, and puts an end to the abrupt terminations that have wasted too many limited dollars. The ability to commit to longer term projects will provide stability, which benefits our national space program, our national security, and will build the stable work force that is needed to maintain U.S. space leadership.

According to a release, The Space Leadership Act will:

Create a board of directors chosen by the administration, House, and Senate, made up of former astronauts and eminent scientists responsible for:

o Preparing a budget submission approved by the administrator and submitted CONCURRENTLY to House and Senate appropriations and the president.

o Recommending three candidates for NASA administrator, deputy administrator and CFO; the president is encouraged to select one of the above, who would then be approved by the Senate.

o Preparing a quadrennial review of space programs and other reports.

Board terms would change to three, three-year terms. (Currently, two, six-year terms)

o It will also include a clause that states that no board member can work for a company which has business with NASA.

The administrator would be selected for a 10-year term.

o This mirrors the FBI director's 10-year term.

o The board will be allowed to remove the NASA administrator for cause.

The legislation extends the provision for long-term contracting from EELV (Evolvable Expendable Launch Vehicle) to rocket propulsion systems and manned and unmanned space transportation vehicles and payloads, including expendable launch vehicles, and related services.