Hearings

From Here to Mars

April 9, 2014
10:00 AM Russell Senate Office Building 253

Feature Image 4WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today announced the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Science and Space will hold a hearing on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. titled, “From Here to Mars.” The hearing will feature experts on NASA exploration strategy, international cooperation in space, and commercial space efforts.

 

Background:

International rivalry dominated early space exploration, but the prospect of international cooperation has often influenced exploration policy. From the Cold War-era Apollo-Soyuz linkup in 1975 to today’s partnership on the International Space Station, space exploration has been a proven model for successful international collaboration and both Congress and the administration have supported this goal.

In preparation for an eventual crewed mission to Mars, NASA and its international partners have studied a series of intermediate missions to demonstrate the technologies required for long duration space travel. Possible mission destinations include a near Earth asteroid – as proposed by the Administration in order to develop and test critical technologies for propulsion and navigation, among others – as well as the lunar surface. However, troubled U.S.-Russia relations, alternative mission destinations, and a strengthening Chinese space program may complicate international cooperation. 

Please note the hearing will be webcast live via the Senate Commerce Committee website. Refresh the Commerce Committee homepage 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to automatically begin streaming the webcast.

Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid or service, including closed captioning service for the webcast hearing, should contact Stephanie Gamache at 202-224-5511 at least three business days in advance of the hearing date.

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  • Ms. Susan Eisenhower

    Chairman Emeritus, the Eisenhower Institute
    President, the Eisenhower Group, Inc.

Testimony

  • Mr. William H. Gerstenmaier

    Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Download Testimony (134.32 KB)

  • Ms. Susan Eisenhower

    Chairman Emeritus, the Eisenhower Institute
    President, the Eisenhower Group, Inc.
    Download Testimony (230.67 KB)

  • Dr. Leroy Chiao

    Former NASA NASA Astronaut; Commander, International Space Station Expedition 10
    Special Advisor for Human Spaceflight, the Space Foundation; and Chairman, National Space Biomedical Research Institute User Panel
    Download Testimony (73.40 KB)

  • Mr. Jeffrey Manber

    Managing Director
    NanoRacks, LLC.
    Download Testimony (1.38 MB)