Building Careers and Shaping Public Policy

21 October 2005

The Honorable Richard Shelby
United States Senate
110 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Shelby:

I am writing on behalf of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-United States of America (IEEE-USA) to request your support of the Senate proposed $250 million appropriation for a Hubble Space Telescope Repair mission during your deliberations on FY 2006 NASA appropriations (H.R.2862).

The report language for both the House of Representatives and Senate appropriations bills expresses support for NASA Administrator Michael Griffin’s decision to develop a plan to maintain the Hubble Space Telescope. Indeed, the House Report accompanying H.R.2862 makes a compelling case for a repair mission:

“The Committee applauds the decision by the Administrator to reassess a fourth servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The Hubble Space Telescope has made numerous and extraordinary contributions to the field of science and has inspired a new generation's interest in space and space science. This mission is not only essential to maintaining the capability of the most scientifically successful space astronomy mission to date, it also provides for the least expensive approach to service Hubble and at the same time provides for the de-orbit capability that will assure HST's safe reentry. Repairs and upgrades made during the fourth servicing mission would continue the telescope's dramatic discoveries that will serve as a legacy for NASA and our Nation.”

The Senate Report likewise expresses “strong support for an appropriate servicing mission to Hubble to ensure the continued operation of the telescope into the next decade,” and asserts that, “A servicing mission to the Hubble Telescope is a National priority.” IEEE-USA agrees with these bipartisan and bicameral sentiments and we urge conferees to honor this commitment by accepting the Senate recommendations for an increase of $250,000,000 for this purpose.

IEEE-USA is an organizational unit of the IEEE. It was created in 1973 to advance the public good and promote the careers and public-policy interests of the more than 220,000 technology professionals who are U.S. members of the IEEE. If we can be of any assistance, please contact Bill Williams at (202) 785 8331 or bill.williams@ieee.org in our Washington office.

Sincerely,

Gerard A. Alphonse
President, IEEE-USA

GAA/ww:mcs

[Similar letter went to Senate Appropriations Bill Conferees.]