Jacobs Joins US Space Advocacy Trade Group; Ward Johnson Comments

Jacobs Engineering Group has become a member of an organization that represents U.S.-based industry and nonprofit groups to advocate for government investment in space exploration, the company said Tuesday.

The Seabrook, Texas-based Coalition for Space Exploration counts close to 30 aerospace industry companies as members and aims to raise awareness and build support for U.S. space exploration programs.

“We share the commitment to advocate NASA’s deep space exploration program and endorse its vision to pursue the benefits returned to our country from long-term national investment in space exploration and scientific discovery,” said Ward Johnson, senior vice president for aerospace and technology at Jacobs.

Jacobs cited NASA’s current ongoing Space Launch System, the Orion crew vehicle and Exploration Ground Systems programs as priorities for the U.S. space exploration portfolio and potential opportunities for industry to collaborate with the agency and other government entities.

NASA also seeks deeper partnerships with space companies as the agency works toward the construction of habitats near the Moon, further research and development work there and eventual landings on Mars, according to Jacobs.