I hope that title gives you the goosebumps, because this hearing was about gaining an understanding of the scope and big picture thinking that the agency known as NASA is needing to be the leader in space exploration. In fact its just the second in a series of hearings in regards to a NASA reauthorization processes currently taking place.
Basically, We The People are wanting to know what NASA's priorities are.
The U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science and Competitiveness, a branch of the Greater U.S. Senate committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation held a hearing on August 1, 2018 with 4 distinguished witnesses. Expert's in the field of Space science.
I got to add that after watching this hearing, I am much more aware of the recent discoveries in space and science, but above all I am super pumped for the direction and recommendations that each witness provided. All off which were knowledgeable and inspirational in their explanations and answers.
*Below, Thomas Zurbuchen, the associate NASA administrator for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate, was among the witnesses at a Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing on NASA’s scientific priorities in its continued efforts to explore the solar system. Mr. Zurbuchen was joined by three other current and former NASA scientists to talk about what the frontiers of space exploration looked like in 2018 and how the agency planned to emphasize and prioritize its research.*
<h4>[**FULL HEARING**](https://www.c-span.org/video/?449266-1/senate-commerce-subcommittee-holds-hearing-nasas-scientific-priorities)<h1>
<br><center></center><center><h4>The Witnesses Left to Right:
<h4>Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen
Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, NASA
<h4>Dr. Ellen Stofan
Director, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
"It is Highly unlikely that life is unique to our planet"<h4>
Dr. David Spergel
Professor of Astronomy, Princeton University
"Most of the Universe is made up of Dark Matter, and Dark energy (95%). We don't know what makes up most of the Universe."<h4>
Dr. Sara Seager, Professor of Physics and Planetary Science
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
"I think a priority should be finding the true Earths twin. Orbiting one of our near, sun like stars". </center> <h1>
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<div class="text-justify">
My intention with this post is to;
A. Bring this hearing to your attention
B. Provide you with all of the available information I could find, along with some bonus content that I hope will inspire a greater understanding of the Cosmos we live in.
My take away from this hearing is simple. In order for true U.S. based space exploration to take place, NASA must be funded enough to maintain a bleeding edge lead over the quickly evolving private sector. Being on the forefront of space technologies is a must for NASA to remain relevant. Keeping in mind that many worldly advances have been pioneered by this agencies missions and experiments.
Besides, were seriously overdue for spacecraft with the most advanced technologies sailing around our solar system planting flags and inspiring generations. Lets get it done.
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As the main representative of NASA, Thomas Zurbuchen, was present to outline NASA's [Science Mission Directorate]. Basically if you want to know what NASA is focused on achieving (with the proper funding), Thomas is one of the key people to listen to.
Check out the Directorate. I even added some content I found corresponding to each Goal.
From Nasa.gov post [**NASA's Science Vision**](https://science.nasa.gov/about-us/smd-vision)</div>
*"SMD ORGANIZES ITS WORK INTO FOUR BROAD SCIENTIFIC PURSUITS: EARTH SCIENCE, PLANETARY SCIENCE, HELIOPHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS. EACH OF THESE PURSUITS IS MANAGED BY A DIVISION WITHIN THE DIRECTORATE, EACH HAVING ITS OWN SCIENCE SUB-GOALS."*
[**EARTH SCIENCE**](https://smd-prod-admin.nasawestprime.com/earth-science): **STUDY PLANET EARTH FROM SPACE TO ADVANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING AND MEET SOCIETAL NEEDS**
<h4>Everything You Need to Know About Planet Earth
https://youtu.be/JGXi_9A__Vc Length 7:21 min
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[**PLANETARY SCIENCE**](https://smd-prod-admin.nasawestprime.com/planetary-science):**ADVANCE SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM, THE POTENTIAL FOR LIFE ELSEWHERE, AND THE HAZARDS AND RESOURCES PRESENT AS HUMANS EXPLORE SPACE**
<h4>[Season 8 of StarTalk Radio with Part 2 of our Time Capsule](https://www.startalkradio.net/show/season-8-time-capsule-part-2/?_sf_s=season+8) Length 51:58
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[**HELIOPHYSICS**](https://smd-prod-admin.nasawestprime.com/heliophysics):**UNDERSTAND THE SUN AND ITS EFFECTS ON EARTH AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM**
<h4>Checkout the Solar system's helical motion through space
https://youtu.be/zBlAGGzup48 Length .16 sec
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[**ASTROPHYSICS**](https://smd-prod-admin.nasawestprime.com/astrophysics): **DISCOVER THE ORIGIN, STRUCTURE, EVOLUTION, AND DESTINY OF THE UNIVERSE, AND SEARCH FOR EARTH-LIKE PLANETS**
<h4>LANIAKEA - Our Own Supercluster - Space Engine
https://youtu.be/UVRilVjgTV0 Length 10:55 min
<h4>The Laniakea supercluster of galaxies
https://youtu.be/Ayj4p3WFxGk Length 6:59 min
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<h4>More on [NASA's Science Missions](https://www.c-span.org/video/?449266-1/senate-commerce-subcommittee-holds-hearing-nasas-scientific-priorities)<h1>
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HOSTING ORGANIZATION
[Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Science, Space, and Competitiveness](https://www.c-span.org/organization/?118679)
The Subcommittee on Space, Science and Competitiveness has responsibility for science, technology, engineering, and math research and development and policy; standards and measurement; and civil space policy. The Subcommittee conducts oversight on the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Technical Information Service. Advancements in science and technology are vital to the nation’s continued economic security, innovation, and competitiveness.
<h4>List of the SPACE, SCIENCE AND COMPETITIVENESS COMMITTEE Hearings:</h4>
**August 2018** - [**The Search for Life: Utilizing Science to Explore our Solar System and Make New Discoveries**](https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=190E36A3-8F84-4455-8848-C3BDEC56569B)
**July 2018** - [**Destination Mars – Putting American Boots on the Surface of the Red Planet**](https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=75B8CE46-D9AC-4B0E-B2C0-FA540D2C00D1)
<h4>Press Releases</h4>
**July 2018** - [**Subcommittee Begins NASA Hearing Series with Mars Exploration Hearing**](https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=792BABBA-FE40-4E6E-A01F-17A3FE667B59)
https://www.c-span.org/video/?449266-1/senate-commerce-subcommittee-holds-hearing-nasas-scientific-priorities#
**May 2018** - [**Subcommittee to Hold Second Hearing Examining the International Space Station**](https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=5D028324-49DB-4F17-94DE-CE3F15700DD0)
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