1.2013 D.C. Trip Report
May 20-23, 2013
Washington, D.C.
2.The Trip’s Success by the Numbers
22nd Annual Trip
97 Travelers
Representation from 28 States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA and WI
340 meetings
(281 House/59 Senate)
With members from 47 states
80 meetings in February
500 Astronauts on the Hill
3.Travelers Briefing Monday Night
Formed 24 teams, with team’s focus on Congressional office visits based on the student’s school or home state
Keynote Speaker, JSC’s Dr. Tara Ruttley, Associate Program Scientist for the Space Station Program
Hill update presented by J.T. Jezierski, from the House Science Space and Technology Committee
Quote heard: “It was the best Travelers briefing ever!”
4.Our Students Delivered the Message
30 University Students / Educators
Message: Space Exploration promotes STEM Education and Technical Careers
Special recognition at the Congressional Reception
Students Tweeted pictures and messages throughout the trip
5.International Space Station (ISS)
Continue to utilize this world-class laboratory and extend its mission beyond 2020
Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
Complete this next-generation spacecraft that will send human deep space missions beyond Low-Earth orbit
Space Launch System (SLS)
Complete this heavy-lift rocket capable of propelling America’s space explorers throughout the solar system
Commercial Space Systems
New systems for crew and cargo support to the ISS, helping to reduce the U.S. dependence on Russia
What was the Message We Shared?
6.Overall there was strong continued bi-partisan support for human space exploration
Major drivers:
STEM Education
America’s Leadership in Space
High Technology– Economy
National Security
Impacts of Sequestration? Funding for all programs will be closely scrutinized
Many offices expressed a desire for NASA to develop a bold mission
What was the Congressional Response?
7.12 Representatives attended: Olson (TX-22), who emceed the event, Weber (TX-14) Stockman (TX 36) Foster (IL-11) Jackson Lee (TX-18) Flores (TX-17) Alexander (LA-5) Gohmert (TX-1) Palazzo (MS-4) Posey (FL-8) Hall (TX-4) and McIntyre (NC-7)
Congressional Reception Tuesday Night
8.Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Trip Sponsor / Organizer
BAHEP’s Aerospace Advisory Committee
Student Sponsors
BAHEP’s Aerospace Advisory Committee
Jacobs
Lockheed Martin
The Boeing Company
San Jacinto College District
Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT)
National Space Club-Huntsville Chapter
Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Foundation
9.Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Reception Sponsors
Boeing
BAHEP’s Aerospace Advisory Committee
Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce
Partners for Stennis
Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce
10.Next Year’s Trip, Save the Date
Next Year’s Trip is Scheduled for May 20- 23, 2014
New Host Hotel
L’Enfant Plaza Hotel
Directly atop a major METRO Station
New Trip Format (Tuesday-Thursday)
11.Best Picture of the Year
Our Astronaut was asked to speak before the U.S. Senate!