(Applause)
Charlie Bolden/NASA Administrator: Thank you very much. Thank you very much. And thanks, thanks to all
of you for coming out today, as difficult as it may have been to get here. It's good to see a lot of
you and I want to welcome all of you to the Kennedy Space Center. This is a place that's quite close to
my heart and it's a place like no other place on the planet, to be quite honest. It's a place that has,
of course, has a storied history, being the launch site of so many of humanity's most ambitious, and
even audacious endeavors. But also a place that has, I can assure you, a storied future. I'm here today
to introduce a man who more than anyone I've met in my career as an officer of Marines and NASA
astronaut, is committed to the arrival of that vibrant future. As the space community knows very well,
dreams don't become a reality through wishful thinking alone, much less through high-pollutant talk.
And even though a steady flow of federal funding may help, that doesn't make things happen. To come
true, dreams need to be tested in the crucible of practicality, trial and error. They need to be
calibrated and thought through in painstaking detail so that all the pieces are certain to work
together. In this case, to lift us physically, and I dare say, emotionally and even spiritually, into
the deep frontier. The star-studded universe that all of us are so anxious to explore. The thing that
has me so excited about the path forward today, is that the man I'm about to introduce understands how
critical it is to get that process right. To put into place an inspired but methodical plan that can
really work for America and for the thousands of workers who every day are straining at the bit and
giving their best to stretch the boundaries of what humanity can call home. I'm talking about a
president, who has, even in these tough economic times, has recognized the value of science, engineering
and innovation to this nation's future, to its economy, its health, its national security. And who, in
his short tenure, has already, through his budgets and the Recovery Act, lifted the federal investment
in civilian research and development to unprecedented heights. A president who has declared that it is
essential for our students to get better science and engineering educations. And who has not just said
so, but has put into place and obtained generous funding for programs to get them there. A president who
has brought hundreds of students into the White House lawn to look through telescopes, and meet
astronauts like Buzz Aldrin and Sally Ride. And you better believe from the looks on those kids' faces,
they recognize the power of space to inspire. Ladies and gentleman, it's my greatest honor to introduce
to you a man for whom I have the greatest personal respect and admiration. A man who absolutely has the
right stuff to lead us into a new era of exploration and discovery. Please join me in welcoming the
president of the United States, President Barack Obama.
(Applause)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, everybody. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you so much.
Thank you, everybody. Please have a seat. Thank you.
I want to thank Senator Bill Nelson and NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden for their extraordinary
leadership. I want to recognize Dr. Buzz Aldrin as well, who's in the house. (Applause.) Four decades
ago, Buzz became a legend. But in the four decades since he's also been one of America's leading
visionaries and authorities on human space flight.
Few people -- present company excluded -- can claim the expertise of Buzz and Bill and Charlie when
it comes to space exploration. I have to say that few people are as singularly unimpressed by Air Force
One as those three. (Laughter.) Sure, it's comfortable, but it can't even reach low Earth orbit.
And that obviously is in striking contrast to the Falcon 9 rocket we just saw on the launch pad,
which will be tested for the very first time in the coming weeks.
A couple of other acknowledgments I want to make. We've got Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas
visiting us, a big supporter of the space program. (Applause.) My director, Office of Science and
Technology Policy -- in other words my chief science advisor -- John Holdren is here. (Applause.)
And most of all I want to acknowledge your congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, because every time I meet with
her, including the flight down here, she reminds me of how important our NASA programs are and how
important this facility is. And she is fighting for every single one of you and for her district and
for the jobs in her district. And you should know that you've got a great champion in Congresswoman
Kosmas. Please give her a big round of applause. (Applause.)
I also want to thank everybody for participating in today's conference. And gathered here are
scientists, engineers, business leaders, public servants, and a few more astronauts as well. Last but
not least, I want to thank the men and women of NASA for welcoming me to the Kennedy Space Center, and
for your contributions not only to America, but to the world.
Here at the Kennedy Space Center we are surrounded by monuments and milestones of those contributions.
It was from here that NASA launched the missions of Mercury and Gemini and Apollo.
It was from here that Space Shuttle Discovery, piloted by Charlie Bolden, carried the Hubble Telescope
into orbit, allowing us to plumb the deepest recesses of our galaxy. And I should point out, by the
way, that in my private office just off the Oval, I've got the picture of Jupiter from the Hubble.
So thank you, Charlie, for helping to decorate my office. (Laughter.) It was from here that men and
women, propelled by sheer nerve and talent, set about pushing the boundaries of humanity's reach.
That's the story of NASA. And it's a story that started a little more than half a century ago, far from
the Space Coast, in a remote and desolate region of what is now called Kazakhstan. Because it was from
there that the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth, which
was little more than a few pieces of metal with a transmitter and a battery strapped to the top of a
missile. But the world was stunned. Americans were dumbfounded. The Soviets, it was perceived, had
taken the lead in a race for which we were not yet fully prepared.
But we caught up very quick. President Eisenhower signed legislation to create NASA and to invest in
science and math education, from grade school to graduate school. In 1961, President Kennedy boldly
declared before a joint session of Congress that the United States would send a man to the Moon and
return him safely to the Earth within the decade. And as a nation, we set about meeting that goal,
reaping rewards that have in the decades since touched every facet of our lives. NASA was at the
forefront. Many gave their careers to the effort. And some have given far more.
In the years that have followed, the space race inspired a generation of scientists and innovators,
including, I'm sure, many of you. It's contributed to immeasurable technological advances that have
improved our health and well-being, from satellite navigation to water purification, from aerospace
manufacturing to medical imaging. Although, I have to say, during a meeting right before I came out on
stage somebody said, you know, it's more than just Tang -- and I had to point out I actually really
like Tang. (Laughter.) I thought that was very cool.
And leading the world to space helped America achieve new heights of prosperity here on Earth, while
demonstrating the power of a free and open society to harness the ingenuity of its people.
And on a personal note, I have been part of that generation so inspired by the space program. 1961 was
the year of my birth -- the year that Kennedy made his announcement. And one of my earliest memories
is sitting on my grandfather's shoulders, waving a flag as astronauts arrived in Hawaii. For me, the
space program has always captured an essential part of what it means to be an American -- reaching for
new heights, stretching beyond what previously did not seem possible. And so, as President, I believe
that space exploration is not a luxury, it's not an afterthought in America's quest for a brighter
future -- it is an essential part of that quest.
So today, I'd like to talk about the next chapter in this story. The challenges facing our space
program are different, and our imperatives for this program are different, than in decades past. We're
no longer racing against an adversary. We're no longer competing to achieve a singular goal like
reaching the Moon. In fact, what was once a global competition has long since become a global
collaboration. But while the measure of our achievements has changed a great deal over the past 50
years, what we do -- or fail to do -- in seeking new frontiers is no less consequential for our future
in space and here on Earth.
So let me start by being extremely clear: I am 100 percent committed to the mission of NASA and its
future. (Applause.) Because broadening our capabilities in space will continue to serve our society
in ways that we can scarcely imagine. Because exploration will once more inspire wonder in a new
generation -- sparking passions and launching careers. And because, ultimately, if we fail to press
forward in the pursuit of discovery, we are ceding our future and we are ceding that essential element
of the American character.
I know there have been a number of questions raised about my administration's plan for space
exploration, especially in this part of Florida where so many rely on NASA as a source of income as
well as a source of pride and community. And these questions come at a time of transition, as the
space shuttle nears its scheduled retirement after almost 30 years of service. And understandably, this
adds to the worries of folks concerned not only about their own futures but about the future of the
space program to which they've devoted their lives.
But I also know that underlying these concerns is a deeper worry, one that precedes not only this plan
but this administration. It stems from the sense that people in Washington -- driven sometimes less by
vision than by politics -- have for years neglected NASA's mission and undermined the work of the
professionals who fulfill it. We've seen that in the NASA budget, which has risen and fallen with the
political winds.
But we can also see it in other ways: in the reluctance of those who hold office to set clear,
achievable objectives; to provide the resources to meet those objectives; and to justify not just these
plans but the larger purpose of space exploration in the 21st century.
All that has to change. And with the strategy I'm outlining today, it will. We start by increasing
NASA's budget by $6 billion over the next five years, even -- (applause) --
I want people to understand the context of this. This is happening even as we have instituted a freeze
on discretionary spending and sought to make cuts elsewhere in the budget.
So NASA, from the start, several months ago when I issued my budget, was one of the areas where we
didn't just maintain a freeze but we actually increased funding by $6 billion. By doing that we will
ramp up robotic exploration of the solar system, including a probe of the Sun's atmosphere; new
scouting missions to Mars and other destinations; and an advanced telescope to follow Hubble, allowing
us to peer deeper into the universe than ever before.
We will increase Earth-based observation to improve our understanding of our climate and our world --
science that will garner tangible benefits, helping us to protect our environment for future
generations.
And we will extend the life of the International Space Station likely by more than five years, while
actually using it for its intended purpose: conducting advanced research that can help improve the
daily lives of people here on Earth, as well as testing and improving upon our capabilities in space.
This includes technologies like more efficient life support systems that will help reduce the cost of
future missions. And in order to reach the space station, we will work with a growing array of private
companies competing to make getting to space easier and more affordable. (Applause.)
Now, I recognize that some have said it is unfeasible or unwise to work with the private sector in this
way. I disagree. The truth is, NASA has always relied on private industry to help design and build
the vehicles that carry astronauts to space, from the Mercury capsule that carried John Glenn into orbit
nearly 50 years ago, to the space shuttle Discovery currently orbiting overhead. By buying the
services of space transportation -- rather than the vehicles themselves -- we can continue to ensure
rigorous safety standards are met. But we will also accelerate the pace of innovations as companies
-- from young startups to established leaders -- compete to design and build and launch new means of
carrying people and materials out of our atmosphere.
In addition, as part of this effort, we will build on the good work already done on the Orion crew
capsule. I've directed Charlie Bolden to immediately begin developing a rescue vehicle using this
technology, so we are not forced to rely on foreign providers if it becomes necessary to quickly bring
our people home from the International Space Station. And this Orion effort will be part of the
technological foundation for advanced spacecraft to be used in future deep space missions. In fact,
Orion will be readied for flight right here in this room. (Applause.)
Next, we will invest more than $3 billion to conduct research on an advanced ?heavy lift rocket" -- a
vehicle to efficiently send into orbit the crew capsules, propulsion systems, and large quantities of
supplies needed to reach deep space. In developing this new vehicle, we will not only look at revising
or modifying older models; we want to look at new designs, new materials, new technologies that will
transform not just where we can go but what we can do when we get there. And we will finalize a rocket
design no later than 2015 and then begin to build it. (Applause.) And I want everybody to understand:
That's at least two years earlier than previously planned -- and that's conservative, given that the
previous program was behind schedule and over budget.
At the same time, after decades of neglect, we will increase investment -- right away -- in other
groundbreaking technologies that will allow astronauts to reach space sooner and more often, to travel
farther and faster for less cost, and to live and work in space for longer periods of time more safely.
That means tackling major scientific and technological challenges. How do we shield astronauts from
radiation on longer missions? How do we harness resources on distant worlds? How do we supply
spacecraft with energy needed for these far-reaching journeys? These are questions that we can answer
and will answer. And these are the questions whose answers no doubt will reap untold benefits right here
on Earth.
So the point is what we're looking for is not just to continue on the same path -- we want to leap into
the future; we want major breakthroughs; a transformative agenda for NASA. (Applause.)
Now, yes, pursuing this new strategy will require that we revise the old strategy. In part, this is
because the old strategy -- including the Constellation program -- was not fulfilling its promise many
ways. That's not just my assessment; that's also the assessment of a panel of respected non-partisan
experts charged with looking at these issues closely. Now, despite this, some have had harsh words for
the decisions we've made, including some individuals who I've got enormous respect and admiration for.
But what I hope is, is that everybody will take a look at what we are planning, consider the details of
what we've laid out, and see the merits as I've described them. The bottom line is nobody is more
committed to manned space flight, to human exploration of space than I am. (Applause.) But we've got
to do it in a smart way, and we can't just keep on doing the same old things that we've been doing and
thinking that somehow is going to get us to where we want to go.
Some have said, for instance, that this plan gives up our leadership in space by failing to produce
plans within NASA to reach low Earth orbit, instead of relying on companies and other countries.
But we will actually reach space faster and more often under this new plan, in ways that will help us
improve our technological capacity and lower our costs, which are both essential for the long-term
sustainability of space flight. In fact, through our plan, we'll be sending many more astronauts to
space over the next decade. (Applause.)
There are also those who criticized our decision to end parts of Constellation as one that will hinder
space exploration below [sic] low Earth orbit. But it's precisely by investing in groundbreaking
research and innovative companies that we will have the potential to rapidly transform our capabilities
-- even as we build on the important work already completed, through projects like Orion, for future
missions. And unlike the previous program, we are setting a course with specific and achievable
milestones.
Early in the next decade, a set of crewed flights will test and prove the systems required for
exploration beyond low Earth orbit. (Applause.) And by 2025, we expect new spacecraft designed for
long journeys to allow us to begin the first-ever crewed missions beyond the Moon into deep space.
(Applause.) So we'll start -- we'll start by sending astronauts to an asteroid for the first time in
history. (Applause.) By the mid-2030s, I believe we can send humans to orbit Mars and return them
safely to Earth. And a landing on Mars will follow. And I expect to be around to see it. (Applause.)
But I want to repeat -- I want to repeat this: Critical to deep space exploration will be the
development of breakthrough propulsion systems and other advanced technologies. So I'm challenging NASA
to break through these barriers. And we'll give you the resources to break through these barriers.
And I know you will, with ingenuity and intensity, because that's what you've always done. (Applause.)
Now, I understand that some believe that we should attempt a return to the surface of the Moon first, as
previously planned. But I just have to say pretty bluntly here: We've been there before. Buzz has
been there. There's a lot more of space to explore, and a lot more to learn when we do. So I believe
it's more important to ramp up our capabilities to reach -- and operate at -- a series of increasingly
demanding targets, while advancing our technological capabilities with each step forward. And that's
what this strategy does. And that's how we will ensure that our leadership in space is even stronger
in this new century than it was in the last. (Applause.)
Finally, I want to say a few words about jobs. Suzanne pointed out to me that the last time I was here,
I made a very clear promise that I would help in the transition into a new program to make sure that
people who are already going through a tough time here in this region were helped. And despite some
reports to the contrary, my plan will add more than 2,500 jobs along the Space Coast in the next two
years compared to the plan under the previous administration. So I want to make that point.
(Applause.)
We're going to modernize the Kennedy Space Center, creating jobs as we upgrade launch facilities.
And there's potential for even more jobs as companies in Florida and across America compete to be part
of a new space transportation industry. And some of those industry leaders are here today. This holds
the promise of generating more than 10,000 jobs nationwide over the next few years. And many of these
jobs will be created right here in Florida because this is an area primed to lead in this competition.
Now, it's true -- there are Floridians who will see their work on the shuttle end as the program winds
down. This is based on a decision that was made six years ago, not six months ago,
but that doesn't make it any less painful for families and communities affected as this
decision becomes reality.
So I'm proposing -- in part because of strong lobbying by Bill and by Suzanne, as well as Charlie
-- I'm proposing a $40 million initiative led by a high-level team from the White House, NASA,
and other agencies to develop a plan for regional economic growth and job creation.
And I expect this plan to reach my desk by August 15th. (Applause.)
It's an effort that will help prepare this already skilled workforce for new opportunities
in the space industry and beyond.
So this is the next chapter that we can write together here at NASA. We will partner with industry.
We will invest in cutting-edge research and technology. We will set far-reaching milestones and
provide the resources to reach those milestones. And step by step, we will push the
boundaries not only of where we can go but what we can do.
Fifty years after the creation of NASA, our goal is no longer just a destination to reach.
Our goal is the capacity for people to work and learn and operate and live safely beyond the
Earth for extended periods of time, ultimately in ways that are more sustainable
and even indefinite. And in fulfilling this task, we will not only extend humanity's
reach in space -- we will strengthen America's leadership here on Earth.
Now, I'll close by saying this. I know that some Americans have asked a question that's particularly
apt on Tax Day: Why spend money on NASA at all? Why spend money solving problems in space when we
don't lack for problems to solve here on the ground? And obviously our country is still reeling from
the worst economic turmoil we've known in generations. We have massive structural
deficits that have to be closed in the coming years.
But you and I know this is a false choice. We have to fix our economy.
We need to close our deficits. But for pennies on the dollar, the space program
has fueled jobs and entire industries. For pennies on the dollar, the space program has
improved our lives, advanced our society, strengthened our economy, and inspired generations
of Americans. And I have no doubt that NASA can continue to fulfill this role. (Applause.)
But that is why -- but I want to say clearly to those of you who work for NASA, but to the entire
community that has been so supportive of the space program in this area: That is exactly why it's so
essential that we pursue a new course and that we revitalize NASA and its mission -- not just with
dollars, but with clear aims and a larger purpose.
Now, little more than 40 years ago, astronauts descended the nine-rung ladder of the
lunar module called Eagle, and allowed their feet to touch the dusty surface of the Earth's only Moon.
This was the culmination of a daring and perilous gambit --
of an endeavor that pushed the boundaries of our knowledge, of our technological prowess,
of our very capacity as human beings to solve problems.
It wasn't just the greatest achievement in NASA's history --
it was one of the greatest achievements in human history.
And the question for us now is whether that was the beginning of something or the end of something.
I choose to believe it was only the beginning.
So thank you. God bless you.
And may God bless the United States of America.
Thank you. (Applause.)