FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BULLS-EYE!

WASHINGTON, DC - July 4, 2005 - The National Space Society sends a hearty congratulations to NASA and the JPL team for the spectacular mission success of the Deep Impact comet mission.

"The amazing bulls-eye of Deep Impact is exploration at its best," said George Whitesides, Executive Director of NSS. "It is exactly what NASA should be doing."

Beyond teaching us about the origins of our solar system, the knowledge gained by this mission will also help protect our planet in the future. By teaching us what comets are made of and how they're affected by impacts, the success of this mission will help scientists learn how to assess the risk of and possibly deflect comets that wander uncomfortably close to Earth in the future.

"The impact picture is destined to join the images that define humanity's exploration history," continued Whitesides. "NASA has given us the biggest firework of all to kick off this Independence Day."

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About the National Space Society

The National Space Society (NSS) is an independent, grassroots organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. Founded in 1974, NSS is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizen's voice on space. NSS counts thousands of members and over 50 chapters in the United States and around the world. The society also publishes Ad Astra magazine, an award-winning periodical chronicling the most important developments in space.

National Space Society
George Whitesides
Executive Director

1620 I St. NW, Suite 615
Washington, DC 20006
T: 202 429 1600

george@nss.org
http://www.nss.org