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April 12, 2002 Bob
Jacobs Jill Leonhardt RELEASE: 02-66 ADMINISTRATOR UNVEILS
FUTURE NASA VISION In his first major
address since being sworn into office, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe
today outlined his strategic vision for the agency's future, including
a The Administrator shared his vision of NASA's future in a speech at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, located on the campus of Syracuse University. U.S. Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert, who oversees the agency as Chairman of the House Science Committee, and U.S. Rep. James T. Walsh, who heads the House subcommittee that supervises NASA's budget, both of New York, joined Administrator O'Keefe at Maxwell. "The nation faces extraordinary new challenges. The world is changing, and if NASA is going to exploit these new opportunities then America's space program must also change," said Administrator O'Keefe. "Our future decisions will be science-driven, not destination-driven. The investments we make today must be justified by their contributions to the long-range goals of the agency." Administrator O'Keefe spelled out NASA's vision and mission: The new NASA vision for the future is:
The NASA mission is:
In his speech titled "Pioneering the Future," Administrator O'Keefe outlined the importance of inspiring a new generation of explorers through education. "Education is part of our core mission," added Administrator O'Keefe. In an effort to
take students on a new journey of learning, the Administrator unveiled
plans for a new type of space explorer -- an Educator Mission Specialist.
Shortly after Morgan was selected
as the backup candidate in 1985 for the Teacher in Space program. She
trained side-by-side with Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger crew
at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. The Teacher in Space program ended "The time has come for NASA to complete the mission -- to send an educator to space to inspire and teach our young people," Administrator O'Keefe said. "Working in partnership with Education Secretary Rod Paige, we will make Barbara's flight the first in a series of missions in the new Educator in Space program." Administrator O'Keefe said it is fitting that Morgan complete the mission of STS-51L. "For the past 16 years, Barbara has worked with NASA and countless science organizations, keeping alive Christa McAuliffe's inspiration. She is uniquely qualified to take our students on a journey of education that only NASA could make possible." The new vision for the agency builds on NASA's unique capabilities as the nation's premiere aeronautics and aerospace research and technology organization. "The biggest difference is that we will let specific science objectives tell us where to go," concluded Administrator O'Keefe. "NASA's mission of discovery will be carried out with a new commitment to fiscal responsibility and the synergy that comes from working with other government agencies, private industry and academia." The complete text of the Administrator's address and additional supporting material are available on the Internet at: http://www.nasa.gov/bios/vision.html Additional information
about Education Mission Specialist -- end -- |
