CSA SpaceBound! Winter-Spring 2004, vol. 14 page 1

Copyright California Space Authority, Inc. 1997-2008

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INDEX PAGE 1 PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 8

News and Information for California Space Authority Members and Stakeholders

Winter-Spring 2004, Volume 14

Space Enterprise Makes National and State Headlines!
A Presidential Moon-Mars Initiative	Gov. Recognizes California Space Talent

"Along this journey we'll make many technological break-throughs. We don't know yet what those breakthroughs will be, but we can be certain they'll come, and that our efforts will be repaid many times over...Mankind is drawn to the heavens for the same reason we were once drawn into unknown lands across the open sea. We choose to explore space because doing so improves our lives, and lifts our national spirit. So let us continue the journey."	"I saw greatness achieved only three days ago, when the rover Spirit landed on Mars. I want to congratulate the many talented scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, who have demonstrated once again that we here in California are the launching pad for the extraordinary."
As President George Bush articulated a new space exploration policy in January, NASA was already poised to begin a significant internal refocusing to accommodate the President's vision for a robotic moon landing within the next five years and follow-on human spaceflight to Mars. The California Space Authority (CSA) attended the first public hearing of the President's Commission on Implement-ation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy, held February 11, 2004 in Washington DC. Organized to guide implementation efforts for the President's"Moon, Mars & Beyond" Initiative, the Commission is chaired by Edwin C."Pete" Aldridge, and will be hosting a series of public hearings on the new space exploration initiative around the country. As of the CSA newsletter deadline, it was announced that a San Francisco Bay-area hearing is being planned for California, April 15-16, with location to be announced. CSA will provide Commission-related information to its members electronically and will garner input to the Commission through its board (see page 4-5), with the support of its newly formed Space Enterprise Advisory Council (SEAC -- see page 7).	The California Space Authority (CSA) is encouraged by the Governor's recognition of California space enterprise talent and expertise in his recent State of the State address. His attendance at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena for the historic Mars landing event also demonstrated his enthusiasm and support for one of California's key high-tech industries. All of this recognition and support is also resonating through the Governor's new Administration. As CSA is building new relationships, and in many instances, renewing former relationships with those now on his team, it is very evident that many already understand the importance of California space enterprise to the state economy. CSA will continue"carrying the message" to the new Administration to ensure greater"voice, visibility and competitive edge" to California's statewide space enterprise community Opportunity has landed! Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (right) cheers with rover team members (from left, Steve Squyres, Principal Investigator; Pete Theisinger, Project Manager and Sean O'Keefe, NASA Administrator) in the Mission Center at NASA's lab in Pasadena, California.
This sweeping look at the unusual rock outcropping near the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity was captured by the rover's right panoramic camera. Scientists believe the layered rocks are either volcanic ash deposits, or sediments laid down by wind or water.
Mars:"How Sweet It Is!" It all paid off in January of 2004! Years of schooling. Years of training and gathering of experience. Thousands of people. Blood, sweat, and tears. And now two robotic marvels crawl on the surface of Mars on behalf of Earth's engineers, scientists, explorers, futurists, and all those who grin from ear to ear at the wonder of it all.	The California Space Authority (CSA) congratulates NASA, JPL, and the thousands of suppliers and contractors that made it happen! It stretches the mind to contemplate the vast number of personal and organizational paths of dedicated time and effort that met at the confluence of these two successes on Mars. California is very proud to be home for much of this energy, knowledge, brightness, and get-it-done attitude. CSA appreciates NASA's thoughtfulness in the memorializing of three fallen crews as part of these Mars successes. We rise to the stars on the shoulders of those who have come before us, some of whom died in the attempt. In the midst of today's euphoria, it is fitting that the Apollo 1 and Shuttles Challenger and Columbia crews be a bittersweet reminder of what space exploration demands of us. California stands ready to support still greater successes in space!