of tljj> 20515

December 17,2009

Charles F. Bolden, Jr. Administrator National Aeronautics and Space Administration 300 E Street, SW Washington, DC 20546

Dear Mr. Bolden:

We are writing today to request a meeting with you to discuss the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) ongoing presence in the State of . With the agency going through a thorough and necessary evaluation of the human space flight program, we would like to take this opportunity to speak with you about Ohio's future in America's space program.

For more than sixty years, Ohio has been home to the Glenn Research Center, the most multi- disciplined of NASA's ten centers. Today, the benefits generated by Glenn and its satellite facility. Plum Brook Station, extend to every corner of Ohio. NASA's economic impact to the state exceeds $1.2 billion, and actsas a catalyst for the 1,200 aerospace-related companies in our state - companies that employ more than 100,000 Ohioans. This allows Ohio to cany on a tradition of excellence and leadership in the aerospace industry that began more than a hundred years ago with the birth of aviation in Dayton, Ohio.

Glenn's experience in both aeronautics and spaceflighl is unique, and makes it an invaluable asset upon which your agency can rely to carry out a wide range of missions. The Center's portfolio includes expertise in aerospace power, propulsion, communications, and microgravity science. It is leading critical manned space flight efforts, including management of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle Service Module, several Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Systems, lunar surface power, cryogenic fluid management, and management of several projects in the human research program.

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER While we are excited by the work that has been done to date, it is our hope that this is only the beginning of Glenn's critical work pushing the boundaries of science and technology for generations to come. As a delegation, we would like discuss with you the recentlyreleased Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee report and NASA Glenn's current and future role in the agency's human spaceflight program. As the agency evaluates the future of the Constellation Program and debates possible alternatives, we believe that it would be helpful to hear from you and your experts about how these alternatives might affect Glenn's mission and the center's more than 3,000 highly-skilled civil service and contractor employees.

We will follow-up shortly to schedule a meeting with you in advance of the release of the Administration's Fiscal Year 2011 budget. Thank you for your leadership and consideration.

Sincerely,

( mwi U.S. Senator Member ol Congress U.S. Senator /jaMsr^ cc: George V.Voinovich, U.S. Senator , U.S. Senator Charlie Wilson, Member of Congress , Member of Congress , Member of Congress Steve LaTourette, Member of Congress Marcia L. Fudge, Member ofCongress Robert Latta, Member of Congress , Member of Congress , Member of Congress , Member of Congress Michael Turner, Member of Congress , Member of Congress , Member of Congress , Member of Congress Jim Jordan, Member of Congress , Member of Congress Tim Ryan, Member of Congress , Member ofCongress , Member of Congress cc: President United States of America

Ted Strickland Governor State of Ohio

Frank G. Jackson Mayor , Ohio

Erie County Commissioners Erie County, Ohio

Joseph Roman President and CEO Greater Cleveland Partnership

Michael L. Heil President and CEO Ohio Aerospace Institute

Dr. Woodrow Witlow, Jr. Director NASA Glenn Research Center