American Astronautical Society Applauds Decision to Extend International Space Station

摘要

The American Astronautical Society applauds the Obama Administration's decision to pursue the extension of the International Space Station until at least 2024. "The International Space Station is a shining beacon of human progress," said AAS President Lyn D. Wigbels. "This incredible engineering project, now continuously occupied for over 13 years, has proven to be an ideal mi-crogravity and space environment research laboratory, helping to advance fundamental knowledge in biology, physics, astronomy, medicine meteorology and materials science. The ISS is also a great example of international cooperation which will help pave the way for future human exploration beyond low Earth Orbit. AAS has long championed through our annual ISS Research and Development Conference the tangible results the American taxpayer gets from our investment in the U.S. National Laboratory onboard the ISS, and other ISS activities. We certainly hope that Congress will support the decision to extend the ISS in the NASA Authorization Bill and that our International Partners will also continue to link arms with us as we look forward to at least another decade of scientific and exploration progress onboard this remarkable facility."