Tam O'Shaughnessy, Sally Ride's life partner and
the chair of the board of directors of Sally Ride Science, is seen with
President Barack Obama as she prepares to accept the Presidential Medal of
Freedom on behalf of Dr. Ride, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013 at the White House in
Washington.
Image Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi
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Speaking at a global space exploration forum Thursday, John P. Holdren,
director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, explained
the importance of President Obama's decision to extend International Space
Station (ISS) operations until at least 2024.
Holdren discussed the ISS extension plan at the International Space
Exploration Forum (ISEF) in Washington, where leaders from more than 35
spacefaring nations gathered for the first ministerial-level meeting ever held
to build political support for global cooperation in space exploration. The U.S.
Department of State hosted the meeting.
"The exploration and utilization of space benefits all humankind," Secretary
of State John Kerry said in a written statement. "They further promote
innovation and economic development, foster scientific advancement, and inspire
the next generation of explorers to pursue studies and careers in the fields of
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Government-level involvement
in and support for human and robotic space exploration are critical to realizing
these benefits. The ISEF provides us with an opportunity to strengthen
international cooperation through discussions of policy issues relevant to the
exploration, long-term sustainability, development, and utilization of this
important domain."
Holdren touted the benefits of continuing to operate the orbiting laboratory
for at least another decade in his remarks.
"The ISS is a unique facility that offers enormous scientific and societal
benefits," said Holdren. "The Obama Administration’s decision to extend its life
until at least 2024 will allow us to maximize its potential, deliver critical
benefits to our Nation and the world, and maintain American leadership in
space."
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden emphasized in a keynote speech the
importance of the role space exploration has played in scientific discovery in
space and on Earth, and the ways exploration has led to new technologies.
"NASA is committed to the space station as a long-term platform to enable the
utilization of space for global research and development," Bolden said. "We’re
committed to implementing a unified strategy of deep space exploration, with
robotic and human missions to destinations that include near-Earth asteroids,
the moon and Mars. And we are committed to our international partnerships and
the continued peaceful uses of outer space and unlocking the mysteries of our
vast universe."
Deputy Secretary of State William Burns spoke at the forum on behalf of the
Department of State.
“We all share a deep stake in extending humanity’s reach further into the
solar system, advancing innovation further and faster, and extending the
benefits of discovery to more people in more places," Burns said. "The question
facing us today is whether we can muster the courage and political will to
advance space exploration and ensure that cooperation continues to trump
competition.”
After the meeting, the State Department issued a forum summary on behalf of
the participating countries. The full text of the summary is at the bottom of
this release.
For documents issued by the State Department for the International Space
Exploration Forum, visit:
For the International Space Exploration Forum Fact Sheet, visit:
For remarks by Deputy Secretary of State Burns, visit:
For video of Holdren's remarks, visit:
For remarks from NASA Administrator Bolden, visit:
For more information about Holdren's and Bolden's announcement on extended
use of the International Space Station, visit:
International Space Exploration Forum
Forum Summary
Forum Summary
Representatives of nations from around the globe met in Washington, DC, on
January 9, 2014, at the International Space Exploration Forum (ISEF) to further
advance the exploration and utilization of space and to highlight their direct
benefit to humankind. This ISEF meeting continued the dialogue initiated by the
European Commission and the European Space Agency, and most recently held in
Italy in November 2011, which underscored the importance of space exploration,
and its benefit to all citizens of the world. As host of the ISEF, the United
States expressed its strong commitment to advance space exploration and urged
all nations to join together to extend humanity’s reach into the solar
system.
ISEF participants noted that space exploration represents the ultimate
challenge in our quest to explore new frontiers and expand our collective sense
of humanity’s place in the universe. All participants confirmed that innovation
and knowledge derived from space exploration directly contribute to economic
growth and societal well-being.
Discussions highlighted that many of the spaceflight achievements of the past
half-century would not have been possible without international cooperation.
Competition-driven innovation at the industrial and scientific levels is also an
important element for the evolution of space exploration. Currently, working
together, nations are successfully leveraging their strengths and executing
multiple robotic and human space missions with broad societal benefits. Nations
are coordinating efforts to better understand our planet and to expand our reach
to a variety of solar system destinations, including asteroids, the Moon, and
Mars. Nations participating in the ISEF recognized that human and robotic space
exploration generates benefits for people on Earth and will be most successful
by building on accomplishments and expanding partnerships with the long-term
goal of human exploration of Mars. ISEF participants also noted the importance
of policy-level commitment for realization and sustainable implementation of
international endeavors in space exploration.
ISEF participants supported the work of space agencies participating in the
International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) in developing a
strategic roadmap for human space exploration documented in the 2013 Global
Exploration Roadmap released in August. They welcomed an expansion of efforts to
increase synergies between human and robotic missions to maximize the unique
contribution made by each and their collective contribution to common
goals. They recognized the value of the stepwise approach to
exploration, enabling nations to demonstrate advanced space exploration
capabilities through cooperative international missions which allow individual
national priorities to be met while achieving shared long-term goals. They
encouraged broadened participation in ISECG from additional space agencies.
As part of this common vision for space exploration, ISEF participants
recognized the importance of the International Space Station (ISS) as the
largest, most complex international scientific and engineering project in
history. In addition to the benefits of continuing research, technology
demonstrations, and experimentation, the ISS partnership illustrates that
nations can collaboratively design, fund and complete an expansive and complex
project. In light of the research that has been conducted by more than 80
nations, the ISS partners encouraged expanded international access to this
unprecedented facility, and noted its continuing value to future exploration
endeavors. ISEF participants acknowledged the need to continue making concrete
steps fostering international cooperation for additional space exploration
projects, programs and activities.
ISEF participants recognized the growth in commercial spaceflight activities.
Such private sector efforts expand economic growth, bring new vitality and
ideas, and enhance space exploration. ISEF participants emphasized the
importance of commercial spaceflight in exploration activities in accordance
with existing national and international guidelines.
ISEF participants acknowledged that the United Nations Committee on the
Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is an important venue in which spacefaring
and non-spacefaring nations alike can continue to discuss important issues
regarding expanding humanity’s horizons in space and furthering the objectives
of the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the
Exploration and Use of Outer Space. These globally important issues include the
long-term sustainability of the space environment for all users, and protecting
Earth from potentially hazardous objects. With the participation for the first
time by a number of developing countries in space exploration, ISEF also
recognized the value of space activities in promoting sustainable development.
ISEF participants noted the need for discussion of international frameworks and
common principles for collaboration on future space exploration, drawing on the
experience of projects such as the ISS.
The ISEF participants welcomed an offer from Japan to host the next space
exploration dialogue in 2016 or 2017 and agreed that policy level consultations
should continue in the interim until the next meeting. They committed to convey
the results of the ISEF to various stakeholders within their respective
governments.
January 9, 2014
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
NASA
Guillermo Gonzalo Sánchez Achutegui
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