SEN. BROWN, REPS. FUDGE, KAPTUR, RYAN, AND SUTTON SEND LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA URGING FULL FUNDING FOR NASA GLENN, PLUM BROOK

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) led a group of Ohio Congressional representatives today in sending letter to President Barack Obama urging him to fully fund the NASA Glenn Research Center and Plum Brook Station in the Fiscal Year 2012 budget.

The letter, also signed by Representatives Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Tim Ryan (OH-17), Betty Sutton (OH-13), and Marcia Fudge (OH-11), underscored the economic importance of NASA Glenn and Plum Brook to Ohio. “In addition to the crucial role Glenn plays within NASA, it is an asset of Ohio’s that must not be compromised.  With an economic output of $1.3 billion last year and a labor force of more than eight thousand people in the State of Ohio, the effects of inadequate funding could be devastating,” the members wrote.

In the letter, the members wrote that the “the skills, experience, facilities, and infrastructure at Glenn are unique, invaluable, and irreplaceable.” The members also urged President Obama to maintain or expand the critical role that NASA Glenn plays in exploration technology development, “to make full use of the Glenn capabilities.”

“NASA Glenn and Plum Brook are essential not only to America’s leadership in space and aeronautics, but to the economic livelihood of northern Ohio,” Brown said. “NASA provides thousands of stable, good-paying jobs to Ohioans, which is why securing the maximum funding for NASA Glenn and Plum Brook in the 2012 budget is so critical.”

“My viewpoint is simple: Either we're going to protect the valuable gains that NASA Glenn has made over the years or not. I'm committed to scientific research and exploration, which has enriched American innovation in every area of our lives-- healthcare, education, and technology. My commitment means that I'll fight for Glenn's funding and stand by its wonderful personnel,” said Rep. Fudge.

“We are committed to a bright future for NASA Plum Brook and its incomparable assets.  Continuing the improvements and investments there will create the jobs of the future and spur even more technological innovation,” said Rep. Kaptur.

“The broad influence of NASA Glenn is felt throughout Northeastern Ohio and the United States,” stated Rep. Ryan.  “The facility injects millions of dollars into our state economy, and its 8,000 highly-skilled employees undertake important research and development initiatives that keep American science and technology programs competitive on a global basis.  It is imperative that we continue to fully-fund this critical resource.”

“I urge the President to fully fund our NASA facilities in Northeast Ohio, because it’s not only about space exploration, but also about creating and preserving thousands of good-paying jobs,” said Rep. Sutton. “These high-tech research and development jobs will lead to more of the scientific advances that our country has benefited from over the past 50 years.”   

The full letter to President Obama is below.

The Honorable Barack Obama

President

The White House

Washington, DC 20501

Dear Mr. President:

As you formulate the FY 2012 budget request and other policy matters relating to NASA, we respectfully request that the Glenn Research Center (Glenn) and the associated Plum Brook Station receive the resources necessary to successfully lead our Nation's preeminence in space and aeronautics.  In addition to the crucial role Glenn plays within NASA, it is an asset of Ohio's that must not be compromised.  With an economic output of $1.3 billion last year and a labor force of more than eight thousand people in the State of Ohio, the effects of inadequate funding could be devastating.

Your vision for the future of NASA occurs at a critical juncture for the Agency – balancing its successful history and traditions with future challenges both on Earth and in space exploration.  The accomplishments of the past hold the door to manifest promises in the advancement of human knowledge and experience, and the quality of life on our own precious planet.  In accordance with your own assessment, this spells a new age for NASA, revitalizing its focus on the research and technologies necessary to make this path possible.

This is why we are pleased to see that the NASA Authorization Act (P.L. Number: 111-267) included Fiscal Year 2012 authorizations of $437.3 million for Exploration Technology Development and $486 million for Space Technology.  The course outlined in this authorization demands advancements in power, including advanced and alternative energy production and storage, in-space propulsion, cryogenics, communications, and advanced materials and structures.   Therefore, it is of vital importance that your FY 2012 budget request fully funds these programs and allocates significant resources and responsibilities to Glenn.  The skills, experience, facilities, and infrastructure at Glenn are unique, invaluable, and irreplaceable.  In your roll-out of the FY 2011 budget request you assigned Glenn the lead role in Exploration Technology Development and Demonstration.  This role should be retained, or expanded to a leadership role for all Exploration Technology Development, to make full use of the Glenn capabilities and to sequester this strategic longer-term R&D program from the tactical near-term pressures of the operational Human Space Flight programs and centers. 

The Act also authorized flight hardware development efforts for new crew and heavy lift launch vehicles.  Glenn has had major responsibilities and made significant contributions to the Orion and Ares I efforts, and major roles were anticipated in the development of the Ares V heavy lift vehicle.  As the plans for development of the new heavy lift launch vehicle proceed it is critical that Glenn be assigned major roles in the development of the power system, thrust vector control system, payload shroud development, and other systems where Glenn’s expertise and capabilities can be utilized to achieve success.

Additionally, your FY 2011 budget request and the NASA Authorization Act extended the life of the International Space Station (ISS) to at least 2020.  We strongly support this extension in order to utilize the microgravity environment on the ISS.  Full utilization of the ISS for life and physical sciences, human research, and technology development and demonstration will provide a major return on the significant U.S. and international investments in the ISS.  In this regard, we request that at least $100 million be allocated from the ISS utilization budget in FY 2012 for life and physical scientific research on ISS and associated ground-based research.  Glenn has preeminent capabilities to make major contributions for the full utilization of the ISS.

Space environmental testing remains integral to the success of NASA’s Exploration mission.  Major investments have been made in modifications to the Space Power Facility at Plum Brook for such testing. It is critical that funding be included to complete and commission this unique facility, utilize it for NASA and commercial space hardware development programs, and encourage cross-agency utilization by other government agencies having requirements which can be met in this world-class facility.  

Lastly, aeronautics is the backbone of Glenn.  As one of the three original NACA sites, Glenn was established in Cleveland to provide geographic diversity to what would become NASA and was specifically chosen because of its close proximity to industry and manufacturing.   As our nation discusses human spaceflight, aeronautics is often taken for granted. We ask that the aeronautics budget be at least the $584.7 million as called for in the Authorization.   Glenn will continue to play a key role in that mission, especially with your efforts regarding new environmentally friendly aviation projects.

It is of utmost importance that Glenn is provided with the funding and key responsibilities needed to ensure the future success of NASA.  We look forward to working with you.

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