Ruppersberger: Space Program is Vital to National Security

U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, called for a manned mission to the moon, Mars or beyond as the U.S. sets to end the space shuttle program.

"America is the most powerful country in the world, in part, because we control the skies," said Ruppersberger in a news release. "We can’t allow the United States to lose its dominance in space.  We must commit to a plan to return a man or woman to the moon, Mars, or beyond in a program run by NASA in partnership with private companies. 

"This new plan must reinvigorate our space industrial base, get our young people excited about pushing our country forward in the space race and inspire people of all ages to dream about reaching the stars.  It is an issue of national security."

According to a news release, Ruppersberger said technology perfected through space shuttle missions is used on other satellites that keep us safe, including tracking terrorists and assisting troops in war zones monitor developments all around them.

In addition, Ruppersberger said, the U.S. utilizes satellites for such modern-day essentials as GPS in cars and making a cell phone call.

Ruppersberger is also concerned that the U.S. will soon rely on Russia to transport Americans to the International Space Center and that China could land a man on the moon by 2020.

 “We must make the hard choices to ensure America has a robust space program," said Ruppersberger in a statement. "Our national security depends on it."