Space Exploration Alliance

Short description: Space Exploration Organization

On June 3, 2004, thirteen United States space advocacy groups, industry associations and space policy organizations formed an umbrella organization known as the Space Exploration Alliance. Its primary purpose is to support the White House's plan to refocus NASA's human space activities toward exploration beyond low Earth orbit.^[1]

Their initial effort, officially known as the Vision for Space Exploration, was announced on January 15, 2004 by President George W. Bush at NASA Headquarters. The VSE includes plans for a return to the Moon by U.S. astronauts with the intent of establishing a permanent lunar base before follow-on efforts are made to move on to Mars and beyond.^[2]

The organizations involved in supporting the Space Exploration Alliance include:

Aerospace Industries Association
Aerospace States Alliance
American Astronautical Society
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
California Space Authority
Federation of Galaxy Explorers
Florida Space Authority
Global Space Travelers
The Mars Society
The Moon Society
NASA Alumni League
National Coalition of Spaceport States
National Society of Black Engineers
National Space Society
The Planetary Society
Pro Space
Space Generation Foundation
Space Studies Institute
X PRIZE Foundation

Collectively these groups total almost one million Americans as members or as employees of member companies.^{[citation needed]}

History

The first goal of the SEA was to work toward receiving broad Congressional support for the new national Vision for Space Exploration outside low Earth orbit, which the SEA refers to as "Moon, Mars and Beyond". The SEA began its efforts by working together on a campaign on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. that was held from July 11 to July 13, 2004.

Thousands of signed petitions from NSS members to their representatives and senators were presented during the congressional visits. They were able to secure first-year funding for the Vision for Space Exploration initiative. ^{[citation needed]}

A second campaign was held on May 17 through May 19, 2005 in conjunction with the National Space Society's annual International Space Development Conference.

In a press release issued on October 15, 2005, the Space Frontier Foundation announced its intent to leave the Alliance, citing "philosophical differences" and an unwillingness to become "a fan club for a status quo that has failed so miserably time after time in our nation's quest for space." ^{[citation needed]}