Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 11, 2005) The Space Foundation issued the following statement in response to today's announcement by the White House that Dr. Michael Griffin has been nominated to serve as NASA Administrator. The statement should be attributed to Space Foundation President & Chief Executive Officer Elliot G. Pulham.

"This is a critical year for NASA, when the agency must demonstrate through successful return to flight and decisive internal change that it is ready to implement the Vision for Space Exploration. Dr. Griffin will need to be bold, decisive and forceful within the agency, and a convincing communicator on Capitol Hill.

"Dr. Griffin brings impressive technical expertise and the right leadership skills and experience to the job of NASA administrator. Once confirmed, he will take the helm of an agency that has been set on the right track by the White House and by the outgoing administrator. But much of the difficult job of transforming NASA remains ahead. Rice bowls need to be smashed, walls torn down, finances put in order. Under performing or non-value added enterprises within the agency need to be outsourced, reinvented or eliminated.

"It is clear that this Administration is committed to a relevant and meaningful space exploration program. The challenge to Dr. Griffin will be in reshaping NASA so the agency is indeed relevant and meaningful, and articulating a persuasive, non- partisan political imperative for the agency that all Americans can rally behind."

About the Space Foundation

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that vigorously advances civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors and educational excellence. The Space Foundation has offices in Washington, D.C., and Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Space Foundation annually conducts, along with its partnering organizations, the National Space Symposium, scheduled April 4-7, 2005, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs; and Strategic Space 2005, scheduled Oct. 4-6, 2005, in Omaha, Neb. For more information, visit www.spacefoundation.org.