– As the U.S. celebrated the 45th anniversary of the first moon landing over the weekend, a Huntsville aerospace engineer running for Congress said he believes the space program has more highlights ahead.
Mark Bray, who has qualified as an independent candidate to challenge incumbent Mo Brooks in the 5th Congressional District race, pointed to the emergence of a commercial market in space.
Bray also cited medical developments made in space by NASA.
"With
to provide internet services around the globe, there is a market for space access," Bray wrote on his
"With the recent announcement of significant advances in
in microgravity and numerous other scientific discoveries from the work on the International Space Station, the market for commercial microgravity research is primed for exploitation."
Bray also said the U.S. is positioned to reaffirm its status as the leader in space exploration as NASA develops the Space Launch System next-generation rocket at Marshall Space Flight Center as well as the continued growth in the commercial rocket business.
The key to America's space vision, Bray said, is to be looking forward and not back.
"Make no mistake, the future of the American space industry is bright," he said. "We have always been leaders and will continue to be. What we learn in space will be a value to mankind both in space and here on earth.
"While I am as nostalgic about past space accomplishments as the next enthusiast, I believe it is time we look forward. We need to look for areas of agreement, find areas of cooperation, and provide a fertile environment for ongoing advancement. If we do, we can grow our economy through discovery and innovation in ways only dreamed of in the past. We can look back on what was or we can look forward and be what they wanted."