The mission of Citizens for Space Exploration is to promote awareness of the benefits of America's Human Space Exploration Program and support for NASA.

Citizens is a multi-state organization comprised of U.S. taxpayers who support America's investment in human space exploration. We are private citizens, small business owners, students, teachers, space and non-space business representatives, and county and municipal officials.

Citizens (formerly known as National Keep It Sold) was formed in 1992 through the efforts of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (TX), the Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (FL), the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce (AL), and the Partners for Stennis (MS and LA). In 2005, Citizens formed an alliance partnership with the Coalition for Space Exploration, and in 2014, a partnership with the Colorado Citizens for Space Exploration began, as well.

Representatives from Citizens for Space Exploration travel to Washington, D.C., annually to meet with members and staff to discuss the benefits of human space exploration. These benefits include:

  • Improving the overall quality of life for our citizens and the world in areas such as medical research and healthcare.

  • Advancing America's scientific, technological, security and economic interests.

  • Inspiring a new generation of explorers to pursue technical careers based on science, math, computers and engineering.

  • Promoting U.S. leadership and competitiveness while providing opportunities for international cooperation.

Annual Washington, D.C., Trip

Much has changed in Congress over the past 32 years, but each May legislators on Capitol Hill can count on at least one constant – the annual visit by the Citizens for Space Exploration. From May 22 - 24, 2023, 76 travelers conducted 323 congressional visits to advance support for human space exploration and to demonstrate the existence of a large, grassroots constituency for space exploration.

The diverse group of travelers included elected officials, 30 university students majoring in engineering or related technical fields of study, 1 high school student, industry representatives and community leaders. They broke into 22 teams consisting of a leader and two or three other travelers including at least one student. Key messages included support for NASA’s human space exploration portfolio and NASA’s role in supporting American leadership, education, innovation, health care, and quality of life, all for less than half of one percent of the federal budget. Talking points also included concern about China and the increasing importance of a well-funded NASA in uncertain geopolitical times.

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is home to the CSE-Texas delegation. BAHEP President Brian Freedman stressed the importance of the 323 congressional visits that were scheduled in advance of the trip. He stated, "We don’t just drop off a folder of information. Each team sits down and talks with either the senator or representative or members of his or her staff. We educate, discuss our concerns and then answer any questions that they have. This one-on-one approach has proven to be very effective over the past 32 years.” 

Based on their congressional meetings, the teams provided valuable feedback which included: 

  • 57% of House member offices were visited and 59% of Senate offices.

  • 79% were “very engaged” in the meeting.

  • 91 staffers had visited a NASA center.

  • 85% were “very knowledgeable” or “somewhat knowledgeable” about NASA’s exploration programs.

  • 86% of staffers were “very knowledgeable” or “somewhat knowledgeable” about the benefits derived from the space program – Education was mentioned in 83% of meetings, economic benefits in 66%, leadership in 47%, national defense in 42%, spinoffs in 37%, and exploration/discovery in 31%.

  • 75% of visits were considered “highly supportive” and 19% “moderately supportive” of human space exploration.

  • Specific concerns focused on the current debt ceiling discussions and their potential impact on the NASA budget.

The Citizens for Space Exploration hosted a Congressional reception in the Rayburn HOB for Members of Congress and their staff on May 23. Over 50 staff attended. Congressional representatives attending were:

  • Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX-36)

  • Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18)

  • Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL-05)

  • Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS-04)

Several travelers were instrumental to the success of this year’s trip to Washington. They included trip co-chairs; Kelly Page, President, Barrios, in Houston, and Brian Baluta, Director, State and Local Government Relations, Lockheed Martin in Florida; Kim Morris, BAHEP aerospace marketing manager, Mark Mitchell, BAHEP Marketing Manager, and Kylie Wischnewsky, BAHEP Marketing Project Manager in Houston; Joe Mayer, Citizens Past Chair in Florida; Mike Ward, Sr. Vice President Government & Public Affairs, Huntsville Madison County Chamber, Alabama; Tish Williams, Executive Director, Hancock Chamber of Commerce, Mississippi; Stacey DeFore, Strategy & Business Development, Commercial Civil Space, Lockheed Martin in Colorado; and many, many others.