HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-054RESOLUTION NO. 2008-054
A RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, TO THE FLORIDA CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATION REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF
MAINTAINING SPACEFLIGHT EXPERTISE AT THE
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AND ENSURING THAT
FUTURE CREW AND CARGO MISSIONS TO THE
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION USE DOMESTIC
CAPABILITIES.
WHEREAS, the United States Space Program is recognized as the world's
leading space program and the Kennedy Space Center has no equal in the
world; and
WHEREAS, the Space Program provides for approximately $4 billion to
Florida's economy; and
WHEREAS, the Shuttle Program is scheduled to be retired in 2010 and
its replacement, the Constellations Program, is predicted to be operational in
2015; and
WHEREAS, there will be a five-year gap in manned space flights
launched from the United States during which time only China and Russia will
launch humans into space; and
WHEREAS, he United States has a strategic interest in maintaining the
nation's preeminence in spaceflight; the spaceflight expertise at the Kennedy
Space Center is a center of excellence that should be maintained after the
discontinuance of Space Shuttle missions; and the United States has
obligations to provide crew and cargo logistic services to the International Space
Station after the Shuttle is retired; and
WHEREAS, until the Constellations Program reaches operational status,
the United States plans to fulfill those obligations by purchasing "seats" on
Soyuz and Progress flights from Russia. These plans make the United States
largely dependent on the Russian space program for access to the International
Space Station for a five-year period; and
WHEREAS, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
has executed Space Act Agreements under the Commercial Orbital
Transportation Services (COTS) Program to provide crew and cargo logistics to
the International Space Station; the COTS program provides for four different
cargo and crew logistic capabilities known as A, B, C and D; and the United
States is the world's premier spacefaring nation because the American
aerospace industry has consistently provided solutions to national needs
including those of NASA; and
WHEREAS, these talents should be tasked to providing domestic
solutions to America's crew and cargo logistic needs; and rather than being
dependant on the Russian space program and spending resources on Russian
1
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-054
Soyuz and Progress logistic services, it would be better to devote those
resources to the development and procurement of domestic crew and cargo
logistic capabilities.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA that:
1, The Board urges the Administrator of NASA to immediately explore all
possible domestic options to reduce or eliminate the need to procure
foreign logistic services to the International Space Station.
2, The Board requests the Delegation encourage the Administration of
NASA to fully utilize the demonstrated excellence of the Kennedy Space
Center for the integration of launch of these crew and cargo logistic
operations.
3. The Board directs the Clerk to forward this Resolution to the State of
Florida Congressional Delegation,
This resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Davis,
motion was seconded by Commissioner O'Bryan, and upon being put to
the vote was as follows:
Chairman Sandra L, Bowden Aye
Vice Chairman Wesley S. Davis Aye
Commissioner Joseph E. Flescher Aye
Commissioner Peter D. O'Bryan Aye
Commissioner Gary C. Wheeler Aye
and the
a vote,
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and
adopted this 13th day of May, 2008,
Attest: J. K. Barton, Clerk
By. K7,, ,,
Deputy Clerk
William K. DeBraal
Deputy County Attorney
Pa
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
by its Board of County Commissioners
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Bowden:; Chairman'
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