Allard said that the military s greatest needs next year are to establish an efficient organization to exploit space, to aggressively modernize its space assets and launch bases, and to engage in more research and development activities. Key space transportation issues for the new Congress include continuing the effort to reduce the cost of access to space and building business for launch vehicle manufacturers and service providers.
Some observers disagree.
Marc Schlather of ProSpace, a space advocacy organization, commended Congress for its decision to increase space transportation spending, but believes the money would be better spent on converting some human space flight functions to commercial use and initiating a federal payload development program to make use of new launch vehicles. Schlather also urged Congress to pass an act to provide tax credits to launch vehicle builders. NSS Executive Director, Pat Dasch identified determination of the future of the X-33 program and efforts to move NASA out of the operations business so that it can focus on research and development for the future development of space as key issues for the 107th congress. The 107th Congress will also need to address the issue of human exploration beyond Earth orbit. Lori Garver, is not whether we should explore deeper into space, but how to do so.