Space Exploration Alliance

Space Exploration Alliance (SEA) is an umbrella organization formed by 13 United States space advocacy groups, industry associations, and space policy organizations. It was established on June 3, 2004. SEA's primary objective is to support the White House's plan to refocus NASA's human space activities toward exploration beyond low Earth orbit.

Their initial effort, officially known as the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE) includes plans for a return to the Moon by the United States with astronauts, with the intent of establishing a permanent lunar base before efforts are made to move on to Mars and beyond. This plan was announced on January 15, 2004 by then President George W. Bush at the NASA Headquarters.

The organizations involved in supporting the Space Exploration Alliance include:


 * Explore Mars Inc
 * Federation of Galaxy Explorers
 * Moon Society
 * The Mars Society
 * National Society of Black Engineers
 * Buzz Aldrin's Human SpaceFlight Institute
 * Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
 * Department of Space

History
The first goal of the SEA was to work toward receiving broad Congressional support for the new national Vision for Space Exploration outside low Earth orbit, which the SEA refers to as "Moon, Mars and Beyond". The SEA began its efforts by working together on a campaign on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. that was held from July 11 to July 13, 2004.

Thousands of signed petitions from NSS members to their representatives and senators were presented during the congressional visits. They were able to secure first-year funding for the Vision for Space Exploration initiative.

A second campaign was held on May 17 through May 19, 2005, in conjunction with the National Space Society's annual International Space Development Conference.

In a press release issued on October 15, 2005, the Space Frontier Foundation announced its intent to leave the Alliance, citing "philosophical differences" and an unwillingness to become "a fan club for a status quo that has failed so miserably time after time in our nation's quest for space."

The SEA holds an annual "Legislative Blitz" in Washington, D.C..