Neil Armstrong Endorses Bush's Space Proposals

Neil Armstrong endorses Bush's space proposals
HOUSTON (AP) — Former astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk
on the moon, says Americans should support an ambitious plan for renewed
moon missions and journeys to worlds beyond that was proposed by
President Bush to help the nation's space program rebound from the
shuttle disaster over Texas.

Armstrong, who commanded NASA's 1969 Apollo 11 mission, said Thursday
the plan is economically sustainable and the country must accept the
risks that accompany space exploration in order to reap technological
rewards. Armstrong, 73, was in Houston Thursday night to receive the
National Space Trophy.

The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement is presented annually to
an American for career contributions in aerospace.

Under Armstrong's command, Apollo 11 touched down on the moon's Sea of
Tranquility on July 20, 1969, with the United States victorious in its
Cold War space race with the former Soviet Union.

"Our president has introduced a new initiative with renewed emphasis on
the exploration of our solar system and expansion of human frontiers.
This proposal has substantial merit and promise," he told almost 600
NASA, corporate and military aerospace professionals at the downtown
Hyatt Regency Houston hotel.



http://www.usatoday.com/news/science...ng-space_x.htm

[I'll bet a poll of the astronaut community, both present and retired,
would show that they are thrilled by Bush's proposed revival of manned
space exploration. So are Ray Bradbury and Ben Bova, from what I've heard.
]


-- Steven L.