Utah Sen. Bennett: Ending Constellation space program a 'really dumb idea'

SALT LAKE CITY -- This week's decision by the Obama administration to end the Constellation space program, which has strong Top of Utah ties, is a "really dumb idea," U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett said Thursday, and he hopes the state's congressional delegation can help save the program.

"We think this is a stupid decision, not just for Utah but for the nation as a whole," Bennett said while speaking on the floor of the Utah Senate.

Bennett, an invited speaker for the statehouse audience, was answering a question from Sen. Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City, about President Obama's announcement Monday that would begin reshaping the space program.

The NASA cutback would directly affect the workers at ATK aerospace operations in Utah who have been developing the engines and other components for the Ares I and Ares V rockets that would power the Constellation program.

ATK builds solid-fuel rocket motors for the space shuttle, as well as a wide variety of military missiles. Located 30 miles west of Brigham City, it is one of Utah's largest civilian employers.

"This is a horrendous decision ... are there any encouraging words you can give us?" Knudson said.

Bennett, who is up for re-election, said he and other lawmakers will try to pressure the administration to reverse the decision.

Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, whose district includes Box Elder County, challenged the president Wednesday night on the floor of the House of Representatives.

"In canceling this project ... what you are doing is cutting 7,000 jobs nationwide that employ people involved in space, engineering, math and science," Bishop said in the floor speech.

Cuts in the defense budget have already had a toll on the company.

The aerospace giant laid off 500 workers in October and 400 workers last week. Another 300 layoffs are expected in the near future, company officials said.

Because the Ares line may have a commercial impact, ATK representatives did not initially estimate how the Constellation decision would affect their work force.

Bennett said the state's Congressional representatives plan to meet soon with ATK and then work through the appropriate House and Senate committees, such as appropriations, to pressure the administration.

"We are going to see if we can turn this thing around."