With President Obama scheduled to visit Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday to discuss his administration’s policy for NASA’s future, US defense companies have expressed the optimism that the President’s proposal of using $6 billion for space exploration, over the next five-year period, will provide them with fresh revenue.

Obama, who has scaled back plans for NASA and sought the termination of the agency’s Constellation program, has proposed the involvement of commercial contractors for developing ways to send astronauts to low-earth orbit.

Further, a Tuesday statement by White House officials revealed that Obama wants NASA to commence work on a new heavy lift rocket earlier than envisioned under the canceled Constellation program.

As such, the companies, in attendance at this week’s National Space Symposium conference in Colorado Springs, appeared to be more than eager to learn further details about the federal government’s proposed investment in research and development.

William Gattle, VP of programs for Harris Corp, a company that makes antenna reflectors deployed on orbit and tactical radios distributing voice and data in an encrypted form, said: “We are excited that Obama is going to invest more in technology.”

Among the executives of other companies that expressed confidence in Obama’s plans was Chris Young - president of geospatial systems at ITT Corp, manufacturing cameras that produce satellite pictures – who said: “As we watch the president's path forward unfold, we're certainly not disappointed in it.”