Press Release

Diamandis editorial supports Obama Space Policy

By SpaceRef Editor
October 30, 2008
Filed under ,
Diamandis editorial supports Obama Space Policy
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We are submitting an editorial piece from Dr Peter Diamandis, Chairman of the X PRIZE Foundation and CEO of Zero Gravity Corporation, expressing his support for Senator Barack Obama. We hope you can help us share this exciting news with the space community. Diamandis can be contacted at peter@xprize.org.

“As a leader in the commercial space industry, I am seriously concerned that the United States has been losing its leadership in this strategic industry.  Our antiquated State Department export policies and the lack of ambitious and inspiring programs are causing a steady erosion in our share of the commercial launch industry.   The rest of the world is catching up fast, and their space capabilities may one day challenge our national security.

Obviously, the next president will have a full plate of issues to deal with, and space may not be at the top of their list. However, one candidate, Senator Barack Obama, seems to understand the challenges we face in space, and has put forward a policy that is refreshingly broad and specific.

Responding largely to concerns voiced by Florida’s voters, Senator Obama has offered an unambiguous pledge to right-size NASA’s budget. But his space policy is not devoted solely to NASA; it points to an Obama Administration’s support for space commercialization, space workforce retention, space research and technology development, national security space programs, space-based environmental monitoring, and using space to inspire our nation’s youth to excel in math and science.

For space-minded voters like myself, there really is only one choice in this presidential election: Senator Barack Obama. I hope Floridians will agree, because their votes are key in this tightly contested race.”

Peter H. Diamandis, MD
Chairman, X PRIZE Foundation
CEO, Zero Gravity Corporation
Managing Director, Space Adventures
Chairman, Rocket Racing League

SpaceRef staff editor.