2013 D.C. Trip Report

1. 2013 D.C. Trip Report May 20-23, 2013 Washington, D.C.

2. The Trip’s Success by the Numbers • 22nd Annual Trip • 97 Travelers • Representation from 28 States • AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA and WI • 340 meetings • (281 House/59 Senate) • With members from 47 states • 80 meetings in February • 500Astronauts on the Hill

3. Travelers Briefing Monday Night • Formed 24 teams, with team’s focus on Congressional office visits based on the student’s school or home state • Keynote Speaker, JSC’s Dr. Tara Ruttley, Associate Program Scientist for the Space Station Program • Hill update presented by J.T. Jezierski, from the House Science Space and Technology Committee • Quote heard: “It was the best Travelers briefing ever!”

4. Our Students Delivered the Message • 30 University Students / Educators • Message: Space Exploration promotes STEM Education and Technical Careers • Special recognition at the Congressional Reception • Students Tweeted pictures and messages throughout the trip

5. What was the Message We Shared? • International Space Station (ISS) Continue to utilize this world-class laboratory and extend its mission beyond 2020 • Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Complete this next-generation spacecraft that will send human deep space missions beyond Low-Earth orbit • Space Launch System (SLS) Complete this heavy-lift rocket capable of propelling America’s space explorers throughout the solar system • Commercial Space Systems New systems for crew and cargo support to the ISS, helping to reduce the U.S. dependence on Russia

6. What was the Congressional Response? • Overall there was strong continued bi-partisan support for human space exploration • Major drivers: • STEM Education • America’s Leadership in Space • High Technology– Economy • National Security • Impacts of Sequestration? Funding for all programs will be closely scrutinized • Many offices expressed a desire for NASA to develop a bold mission

7. Congressional Reception Tuesday Night • 12 Representatives attended: Olson (TX-22), who emceed the event, Weber (TX-14) Stockman (TX 36) Foster (IL-11) Jackson Lee (TX-18) Flores (TX-17) Alexander (LA-5) Gohmert (TX-1) Palazzo (MS-4) Posey (FL-8) Hall (TX-4) and McIntyre (NC-7)

8. Special Thanks to Our Sponsors • Trip Sponsor / Organizer • BAHEP’s Aerospace Advisory Committee • Student Sponsors • BAHEP’s Aerospace Advisory Committee • Jacobs • Lockheed Martin • The Boeing Company • San Jacinto College District • Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT) • National Space Club-Huntsville Chapter • Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Foundation

9. Special Thanks to Our Sponsors • Reception Sponsors • Boeing • BAHEP’s Aerospace Advisory Committee • Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce • Partners for Stennis • Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce

10. Next Year’s Trip, Save the Date Next Year’s Trip is Scheduled for May 20- 23, 2014 • New Host Hotel L’Enfant Plaza Hotel Directly atop a major METRO Station • New Trip Format (Tuesday-Thursday)

11. Best Picture of the Year Our Astronaut was asked to speak before the U.S. Senate!