TheSpace Exploration Alliance (SEA) is anumbrella organization formed by 13United Statesspace advocacy groups,industry associations, andspace policy organizations. It was established on June 3, 2004. The SEA's primary objective is to support the refocus ofNASA'shuman space activities towardexploration beyondlow Earth orbit (LEO).[1]
The initial effort, officially known as theVision for Space Exploration (VSE), includes plans for return missions to theMoon withastronauts, and with the intent of establishing a permanentlunar base. Once such plans are attained, the focus will shift to missions onMars and beyond.[2] This plan was announced on January 15, 2004 by US PresidentGeorge W. Bush at theNASA Headquarters.
The organizations involved in supporting the Space Exploration Alliance include:
The Space Exploration Alliance (SEA) initially aimed to gain widespread congressional support for the new nationalVision for Space Exploration outsideLow Earth orbit, which the SEA refers to as "Moon, Mars and Beyond". The SEA's efforts included a campaign onCapitol Hill inWashington, D.C. held from July 11 to July 13, 2004.[3]
Many signedpetitions fromNational Space Society (NSS) members were presented during the congressional visits. The NSS members were able to secure their first-year funding for the Vision for Space Exploration initiative.[citation needed]
A second campaign was held on May 17 through May 19, 2005, in conjunction with the NSS's annualInternational Space Development Conference.
In apress release issued on October 15, 2005, theSpace Frontier Foundation announced its intent to leave the Alliance, citing "philosophical differences" and an unwillingness to become "a fan club for a status quo that has failed so miserably time after time in our nation's quest for space."[4]
The SEA holds an annual "Legislative Blitz" inWashington, D.C.
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