The Houston Chronicle reports on a survey run by the James A. Baker III Center at Rice University which asked former Astronauts whether NASA should shift its mission from space exploration to helping with the environmental and energy problems.

Astronauts from Sally Ride to John Glenn were interviewed for the study. Gene Cernan pointed out that there are a lot of other people and organizations who are focusing on the environment and energy – including T. Boone Pickens – and NASA should remain focused on space.

Here is the Chronicle’s summary of Cernan’s statement:

Gene Cernan, 74, commander of the 1972 Apollo 17 mission, last astronaut to walk on the moon

He holds dear the value that space exploration inspires youth to get the best education available, saying, “The greatest legacy the Wright brothers left us was the urge to fly higher and faster than man ever had and inspire those who followed in their footsteps to dream about doing things we did not think could be done.” He was appalled by the report’s recommendations that would turn NASA away from space exploration.

“It just blows my mind what they would do to an organization like NASA that was designed and built to explore the unknown. We have other agencies, environmental groups and oil companies, auto companies and T. Boone Pickens to figure out how we can survive.

To read the entire article, click HERE.

– The Pickens Team

This entry was posted on Monday, February 9th, 2009 at 5:56 am by Rich in In the News, Pickens Plan, Press Releases.
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