THE VISION: SPACE AGENCY MANIPULATES THE ADVISORY PROCESS.
Three members of the Science Committee of the NASA Advisory Council, including its chair, are out the door today for giving advice. Wes Huntress of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, was previously NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science.  In March he testified before the House Science Committee that the President's "Vision for Space Exploration" has forced NASA "to cannibalize the agency's science program." Gene Levy, professor of physics and Provost at Rice, said "a strong commitment to science is not the kind of advice" NASA was looking for. The chair of the Committee, Charlie Kennel, Director of the Scripps Institute, apparently resigned to protest the action. Jack Schmitt, chair of the Council, said he will serve as acting chair until a replacement for Kennel can be found. Like who would want the job? NASA has been in total free-fall since President Bush announced his "Vision for Space Exploration" two years ago.