Lawmakers announce caucus focused on space and planetary science
Two lawmakers on Wednesday announced a newly relaunched group in Congress that will focus on issues related to planetary science and space exploration.
Two lawmakers on Wednesday announced a newly relaunched group in Congress that will focus on issues related to planetary science and space exploration.
The bipartisan Planetary Science Caucus is being led by Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., and Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. The group aims to advance policies and promote federal investment in space science, which the caucus said is “critical to our economy, national security, and American leadership in science and technology.”
The Planetary Science Caucus, which was initially formed in 2018 but was later abandoned in 2021, listed several key goals:
“For millennia, humans have observed the cosmos and incorporated their bountiful lessons here on Earth, and I’m ecstatic to continue this proud tradition in the halls of Congress by working with Rep. Bacon to launch the Planetary Science Caucus,” Chu said in a statement.
The lawmakers will have their hands full, as several major NASA endeavors, including the agency’s Artemis program to return astronauts to the moon and a planned sample return mission to Mars, have come under budgetary scrutiny.
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