Letter From NASA Headquarters Regarding Travel Ban to COSPAR in Istanbul, Turkey
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546-0001
June 21, 2016
Reply to Attn of: Office of International and Interagency Relations
TO: Distribution
FROM: Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations
SUBJECT: NASA-sponsored Travel to 41st Committee on Space Research Scientific Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey
The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) is holding its 41st Scientific Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey, from July 30 to August 7, 2016. As with previous meetings of this biennial international conference, a significant number of NASA employees and contractors have made tentative plans to attend including representatives from your organization. However, based on current US. Department of State guidance regarding offical travel to Turkey, the Administrator has determined that the Agency will not sponsor or process travel for the 2016 COSPAR conference in Istanbul by NASA civil servants or contractors, including those at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. A copy of the latest travel warning for Turkey can befound at: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/turkey-travel-warning.html.
As Administrator Bolden has consistently stated, the safety of our NASA family is paramount. This is equally true in both the domestic workplace and while conducting the Nation’s important business on travel abroad.
Specific questions regarding the implementation of this guidance can be directed either to me or Mr. Dennis McSweeney, Acting Director for Science in the Office of International and Interagency Relations, at 202-358-2012, or dennis.mcsweeney@nasa.gov.
(signed)
Al Condes
Distribution:
Chief Scientist/Dr. Stofan
Associate Administrator for Science Mission Directorate/Mr. Yoder (Acting)
Ames Research Center/Dr. Tu
Goddard Space Flight Center/Mr. Scolese
Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Dr. Elachi
Johnson Space Center/Dr. Ochoa
Kennedy Space Center/Mr. Cabana
Langley Research Center/Dr. Bowles
Marshall Space Flight Center/Mr. May
