“I never dreamed I’d be an astronaut, let alone director of the Kennedy Space Center,” said retired USMC Col. Robert Cabana, director of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center. He spoke to guests at a special Navy League Treasure Coast Council luncheon last Tuesday at the Quail Valley River Club, where his informative talk touched on NASA’s past, present and future.

“It’s an exciting day for the Navy League today,” said Maryjo Thompson, current president. “We are celebrating the 243rd birthday of the United States Navy and we have a most esteemed speaker with us today.”

As part of the festivities, Cabana joined Thompson, along with the tradition of the “eldest and youngest sailor,” Korky Korker and Eric Menger, respectively, for a ceremonial sword cutting of the birthday cake.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Cabana logged more than 7,000 hours as a Naval Aviator before becoming an astronaut. He served as pilot on two spaceflights and as mission commander for two others, including as the first commander of the International Space Station.

Cabana explained that the National Space Council has issued three space policy directives: return to the Moon and on to Mars; streamline regulations for commercial operations in space; and national space traffic management to “clean things up.”

He said that NASA, in conjunction with numerous industry and international partners, is focused on returning to the Moon by June 2020 to create a lunar outpost, and reaching Mars by 2024 aboard the Orion spacecraft. In the long term, they are preparing for deep space exploration.

“We are building a sustainable architecture that allows us to continue to build on it and keep adding to it as we progress in our exploration of the solar system.”

Noting that initial commercial flight crews have primarily been naval service members, he added, “right now this is my No. 1 priority at the Kennedy Space Center. I want to see U.S. crews flying on U.S. rockets from U.S. soil next year. And we’re going to make that happen so that we don’t have to rely on our Russian partners.”

Cabana also touched on some of NASA’s many programs, including Launch Services, Exploration Research and Technology, and Life Sciences and Food Production.

“This is NASA’s 60th anniversary this year,” he said. “I look back on NASA’s history and it’s phenomenal; all that we have accomplished. But to me, I look forward to the next 60 years. The past is awesome, but I believe the next 60 years are even going to be more fantastic than NASA’s first 60 years. I can’t tell you how proud I am to be able to be a part of this. It’s only getting better; I couldn’t be more pleased with what we’ve done but it’s only going to get better.”

The Navy League’s mission is three pronged: to support the sea services (Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and American Flag Merchant Marines) and their families; to educate the American people and their elected leaders about the critical importance of sea power for their economic prosperity and national security; and to help build America’s future through successful youth programs such as the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. Membership is open to veterans of all military services; civilians are also welcome to join.

Upcoming Navy League dinners will take place at the Pointe West Country Club: Nov. 15, Jan. 22, Feb. 26, March 26, April 23 and May 21.

For more information, visit treasurecoastnavyleague.org.