Earlier this month many raised a ruckus over the barring of Chinese scientists from an upcoming astronomy conference scheduled for a NASA facility. It was originally explained away as connected to a recent federal law – which the law’s author strenuously rejected. The NASA Administrator responded by chalking it up to overenthusiastic staff at NASA Ames.
Of course, since the government was officially shut down while this issue commanded attention, an ‘official response’ was still pending. But the agency made it official via a spokesman. A ban on access of Chinese officials to NASA facilities was set up in March, but was removed in July. Clearly that message was not well communicated throughout NASA. That moratorium was prompted by concerns over security at NASA facilities, and the agency is working with the National Administration on Public Administration to determine how to address the problems.
No word yet from Representative Wolf about NASA’s response to his letter about mischaracterizing his law. Whether or not the erroneously banned scientists attend the conference remains to be seen..
Pasco Phronesis 