Planetary Society Weighs in on NASA Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
02/14/2011

CONTACT:
Mat Kaplan
Email: mat.kaplan@planetary.org

NASA today announced its budget request for fiscal year 2012. The Planetary Society issued the following statement on it:

“Where's the innovation?” asked Bill Nye, Executive Director of the Planetary Society. “How can NASA innovate when Congress insists on building a new heavy lift rocket based on old designs? Science has been flat-lined. Planetary Science has been cut. Earth science missions have been delayed – again.

“Missions to the outer planets won't get off the ground when they're only 'studies.' Mr. Bolden talked about 'hard choices,' but what can he do when NASA has not been given a real budget for this fiscal year? The hard choices are yet to be made."

About the Planetary Society

The Planetary Society has inspired millions of people to explore other worlds and seek other life. Today, its international membership makes the non-governmental Planetary Society the largest space interest group in the world. Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman founded the Planetary Society in 1980. Bill Nye, a long time member of the Planetary Society's Board, serves as CEO.

The Planetary Society
85 South Grand
Pasadena, CA 91105 USA
Web: www.planetary.org
Voice: (626) 793-5100
Fax: (626) 793-5528
Email: tps@planetary.org

#####