Chairman Boehlert had a very interesting opening to today’s hearing on the NASA budget. Some highlights:

I am for returning humans to the moon by 2020. I am for moving ahead prudently but swiftly with the development of a Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) for that purpose. I am for retiring the Space Shuttle as soon as possible, but under absolutely no circumstances later than December 31, 2010. I am for a NASA that sees itself as a science agency, with all of Space Science, Earth Science and Aeronautics receiving theattention and funding accorded to priority areas. I am for a NASA that is open to outside ideas from academia and the private sector…

…We understand that the Administration could send up in the next month or so proposed language to amend the Iran Nonproliferation Act. That