Jeff has been involved in aerospace journalism since the mid 1990s. Prior to joining Aviation Week, Jeff served as managing editor of Launchspace magazine and the International Space Industry Report. He has been the editor and chief of Aviation Week's Aerospace Daily & Defense Report since 2007 and has been a regular contributor to Aviation Week magazine. He received his B.A. from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
SPACE SUPPORT: A new Gallup poll commissioned by the Coalition for Space Exploration shows that more than 52 percent of those surveyed would support an increase in space exploration funding. NASA’s current budget is less than 1 percent of the federal budget, or roughly 15 cents per day for the average taxpayer. Furthermore, 68 percent of respondents agreed that the benefits of the human exploration of space outweigh the risks. Gallup conducted the poll during April and May.
NASA BILL: On June 18 the House of Representatives passed NASA’s fiscal 2009 authorization bill by a vote of 409 to 15. H.R. 6063 was introduced May 15 by House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and passed the House Science and Technology Committee on June 4. The legislation authorizes $20.21 billion for FY ‘09, which includes a baseline authorization of $19.21 billion plus $1 billion to accelerate the development of the Orion and Ares vehicles.
