From left to right, Marcelo Vazquez, Felix Grucci, and Arthur Smith
photo by Michael Lesquadro
Tuesday August 13, 2002: Meeting with Representative Grucci
Introductions
National Space Society - Long Island chapter
leading national pro-space non-profit organization
educational mission: inspire youth to reach for the stars
long term goal: human settlement of space
Space Research/Education on Long Island
Brookhaven research: NSBRI, BAF, ...
NASA funding at BNL and elsewhere on Long Island
Research emphasis on long-term habitation
Possible BNL involvement in NGO (ISS research organization)
Possible Challenger center, educational initiatives
Space Business on Long Island
A number of satellite, communications companies
Software and services
Can we stimulate more in the area?
H.R. 4742: "Space Exploration Act of 2002"
Incremental goals: less than 2% of NASA funding next 2 years
Clearly identifiable destination and goals beyond ISS:
reusable spacecraft, Moon, Mars within 20 years
New Office of Exploration
14 House co-sponsors so far, including Rep. English (R-PA),
Rep. Weldon (R-PA), and Rep. Owens (D-NY)
Our visit with Representative Grucci was prompted by Arthur Smith
contacting local staff member Sandy Alvaro by email, explaining
some of the goals of the National Space Society, our interest
in H.R. 4742, and in talking with the Congressman about the local
connections and interest in space. Arthur was somewhat surprised
when Sandy responded almost immediately with an appointment
scheduled for just a week away!
It turned out that we had triggered an interest in local staffer
Mike Lesquadro, and in Grucci's Washington Chief of Staff Jesse
Garcia. Mike met with us for a few minutes beforehand, and stayed
through the meeting contributing his thoughts and enthusiasm about
space exploration and development. He had worked at Grumman on the
Lunar Module up through Apollo 13, and somewhat later had worked
at Brookhaven in the computing division, and so was familiar
with both the research and business sides of space on Long Island.
We pretty much followed the agenda (the above list), with a
few asides. Marcelo did an excellent job covering his research,
including down-to-earth applications when Grucci asked about that.
Mike spontaneously suggested a "Felix Grucci spaceport"
for the Grumman site in Calverton - something we hadn't mentioned,
but which we had privately discussed (without the name) as
a long-term future goal. Arthur made the point that all the
big states have spaceports or major space facilities (California,
Florida, Texas), except New York. Maybe a Long Island spaceport
isn't such a farfetched idea?
Grucci asked us near the end what we would like him to do. Arthur
asked for him to seriously consider co-sponsoring H.R. 4742.
Marcelo mentioned it would help his work by providing an
extra area within NASA to apply for funding for research into
the effects of long-term spaceflight. BNL's radiation testing
facility is unique in the country, perhaps in the world, and should
attract some good research under this. He agreed to look at it;
it seemed he might sign on if it didn't conflict with other
legislation he was working on. And we both asked that
he keep in mind that Long Island has a significant connection with
the space program, and there are real opportunities to develop it
further in both research funding and growing local business.
Altogether it seemed a very auspicious visit; as we develop
our local plans it looks like we may have a strong supporter
in Congress!
Last Modified: 15 August 2002
