NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden told the Senate Commerce Committee today that he will do “everything in my power” to ensure that the commercial launch companies at the heart of President Obama’s new plan for NASA succeed.   The magnitude of that commitment was the source of some contention at the hearing.

One of the resounding themes of yesterday’s Space Law and Policy 2010 symposium was that of the need for holistic solutions – that take into account the role of a variety of players- to solve the regulatory issues facing the space community.

A National Research Council (NRC) study committee reports that NASA’s basic research facilities are in a state of decline.    Committee co-chair John Best says that it is “imperative that NASA restore and maintain its basic research laboratories” or jeopardize its ability to meet major mission goals according to an NRC press release. 

Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) is in a tight primary race today.   With anti-incumbent fervor shaping political races this year, Rep. Mollohan’s close to 30 years in the House may work against him rather than for him as would be typically true.   He chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee that funds NASA.   How a loss today would affect the congressional debate over NASA’s new plan for human spaceflight is unknown.  Even if he wins today, he faces Republican opposition in November.   His opponent today, state Senator Mike Oliverio, is quoted as saying that “Congress is broken” and “we need to clean House.”    Stay tuned.

UPDATE:  Rep. Mollohan lost the primary.  He will remain in Congress for the rest of this year, of course, but the extent to which his lame duck status affects the outcome of the debate on NASA’s FY2011 funding and the Obama plan for human space flight is an unknown at this point.

ORIGINAL STORY:  Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) is in a tight primary race today.   With anti-incumbent fervor shaping political races this year, Rep. Mollohan’s close to 30 years in the House may work against him rather than for him as would be typically true.   He chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee that funds NASA.   How a loss today would affect the congressional debate over NASA’s new plan for human spaceflight is unknown.  Even if he wins today, he faces Republican opposition in November.   His opponent today, state Senator Mike Oliverio, is quoted as saying that “Congress is broken” and “we need to clean House.”    Stay tuned.