Embry-Riddle University President Endorses NASA’s New Direction

In a sign of growing support in Florida for President Obama’s new space policy for NASA, the president of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has endorsed the plan in a letter sent to several of the state’s newspapers. University President John P. Johnson wrote:

To narrow the post-Space Shuttle gap in U.S. human access to space, the plan will rely on commercial rockets like the Atlas V, Delta IV, and Falcon IX. This puts the commercial space transportation industry in a situation similar to the early days of aviation, which grew rapidly after the government established contracts to carry air mail. Some in the industry believe commercial launchers may not be up to the task, but the President clearly believes they can. We agree. Back in 1927, Embry-Riddle’s founders helped establish our nation’s first air mail service, so we know something about the power of entrepreneurship.

The message all of this conveys is that NASA should shift its attention to exploring new frontiers, instead of forever circling in low-Earth orbit. Fortunately, the President recognizes there are some major prerequisites to accomplishing these goals, including research and development for new rockets, spacecraft, and long-duration human spaceflight, as well as major upgrades at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport.

Embry-Riddle is committed to continuing our extensive participation in the space program. Six of our graduates are astronauts. Many more alumni work in mission control and design rockets, trajectories, and payloads in our nation’s space industry. Embry-Riddle is the trusted leader in the FAA-supported Florida NextGen Test Bed, where we are working with aerospace industry partners to demonstrate new technologies to increase the safety, reliability, and efficiency of U.S. air travel. Additionally, our faculty are exploring advanced aircraft design, new propulsion systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and the commercialization of space transportation.

Read the full letter.