NASA to implement new Integrated Space Transportation Plan during fiscal year 2003

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has announced that the administration is revising its fiscal year 2003 budget to implement a new Integrated Space Transportation Plan (ISTP).

The move is intended to ensure that the International Space Station is properly financed and better positioned to achieve its scientific research priorities. ISTP consists of three key programs: the space shuttle, orbital space plane and next-generation launch technology.

These changes reflect a new direction in NASA's five-year budget plan within the totals contained in the fiscal 2003 budget. The new plan will be sent to Congress soon.

For additional information, visit www. nasa.gov/releases/2002/02_216.html.

ASME President speaks on U.S. science and engineering workforce

The National Academies' Government University Industry Research Roundtable (GUIRR) held a summit in mid-November on U.S. science and engineering workforce issues. Representatives of nearly 40 scientific and engineering nonprofit groups and government agencies presented varying policy recommendations regarding the future of the science and engineering workforce.

ASME President Susan Skemp presented the Society's K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education paper. She stressed the need for high standards and better curricula, quality math and science teachers, diversity, partnerships, and research into how students best learn science and mathematics. Skemp also discussed a model bill for state legislators developed by ASME to implement these recommendations.

At the end of the GUIRR summit, volunteers were solicited to take the lead in 10 areas, including high school reform, undergraduate curriculum reform and lifelong learning.
For more information about GUIRR and its work, visit www.national-academies.org/guirr/.

Members meet with House Majority Whip DeLay of Texas

Several ASME members were invited to meet in late October with the U.S. House of Representatives Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas, in Houston. In addition to Rep. DeLay's leadership position, he also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over NSF, NASA and EPA.

Attendees included Victoria Rockwell, senior vice president-elect for the Council on Public Affairs; Terrel Jones, ASME Energy Task Force; Steve Long, ASME South Texas Section; and Glenn MacDonald, ASME Petroleum Division.

The topics discussed during the meeting included homeland security, energy, research and development, and K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. Position papers on each topic were provided to the Congressman.

This meeting was conducted as part of the Engineers Across America program initiated in August 2002. For more information on the meeting, the program, or the positions discussed, contact Patti Burgio at burgiop@asme.org.

Aerospace commission releases its final report

The Congressionally mandated "Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry" has released its final report. "A healthy aerospace industry is a national imperative," the report states. "If we allow our aerospace industry to falter, our nation's defense hangs in the balance."

The commission released nine comprehensive recommendations, which include transforming the U.S. air transportation system, creating a space imperative, invigorating and sustaining the aerospace industrial base, and establishing a national aerospace policy.

These recommendations can be found at www.aerospacecommission.gov/releases/
111802release.doc. The 300-page final report is available at ww.aerospacecommission.gov.

For the past four years, ASME International has led an Aviation Coalition to express concerns that reducing federal funding for aviation research and technology will jeopardize the nation's ability to develop the next-generation aircraft, improve aviation safety and security, and attract the next generation of aerospace scientists and engineers. The coalition's statement, "Crisis in U.S. Aviation Research and Technology," is available at www.asme.org/gric/ ps/2000/00-27.html.

The coalition recently sent a letter to all members of the Senate urging their support for the Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering and Development Act of 2002 (S. 2951). It passed the Senate by unanimous consent on Dec. 2. Because the House had already adjourned, the bill will have to be reintroduced in the 108th Congress next year.

For more information about this issue, visit the Issues Book at www.asme.org/gric/ibook/ibook NASA.html.

— Melissa Murray
ASME Government Relations

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