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Sort of threw out the plans to the saturn v launch vehicles. we should never make that mistake again. at the same time all the talent we built up in these space centers, we need to utilize that talent to help us move toward these new goals. there are commercial space endeavors that are coming online that are going to help out in this, and i think that that -- that great support should be spread across the whole panoply so that everybody can use it. >> threw out the plans. derrick pitts of the franklin institute in philadelphia. it is always a learning experience and a lot of fun. thank you, de...

Though, than to send astronauts to an asteroid and then work toward sending them to mars it's very much like rekindling that great dream of the '60s to put people on the moon as a big target and a big goal to get. >> i thought we already sent tommy lee jones to an asteroid, but that was just -- >> unfortunately he came back. >> oh, boy. >> sorry. >> quickly, how much of this do we never appreciate, that this is about these industries, the space industries in texas and florida. >> the space exploration industries really have a huge infrastructure built up and that infrastructure is that infrast...

I came here to roll up my sleeves and to make the argument if you will that this message should go to johnson, marshall, and other space centers around the nation to begin to build consensus that involves job creation, technology and, yes, the further understanding of how space exploration could help the american public. >> what is the biggest risk at stake here for the u.s. in terms of space exploration as we go forward? what is the potential risk involving private industry and the way the president's proposing that we do? >> well, i think one of the issues here is that we've got to take this...

You will, to the space station. >> will the american taxpayer save money if this is done? >> well, yes, i think what will happen is if we can get a commercial industry going and there's indications that we can, then what will happen is analogous to the airline industry. it will become a self-sustaining business. in the end it will be cheaper. easier for the government to build an airplane, to move government employees around or buy a commercial airline ticket. same thing. >> thank you, leroy, we'll talk about. leroy chiao. if the space program is cut down as expected, that could lead to thou...

The main space centers are located in the united states. kennedy space center in cape canaveral, florida, marshall flight center in huntsville, alabama, and johnson space center in houston, texas. those are the main ones. nasa employs thousands in these cities and many other cities across the country. i want to show you a map, it shows, these are dollar values of nasa investment in every state. every single state has investment through the hiring of contractors, the purchasing of goods and services. the states that make the most, california, about $3.25 billion, texas, about $375 billion, and ...