TITUSVILLE, Fla. -- “Under my watch, NASA will inspire the world once again and make America stronger and its going to help strengthen the economy right here in Brevard County.” That was candidate Barack Obama before a cheering crowd in 2008. He then promised the space coast jobs and stability.

When President Obama returns to Florida for a Space Summit next month, the crowd may not be so welcoming.

His 2011 budget killed the Constellation project, put a hold on human space flight missions and left the lives of thousands of NASA workers and their families in limbo.

“To me it's pretty exciting, it's a once-in-a-lifetime type thing,” Paul Cureton told Local 6 reporter Mike Holfeld.

Cureton's once-in-a-lifetime opportunity actually turned into a 22-year career. In fact, Cureton has been preparing shuttles for liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center since 1987.

But now, with just four launches left, Cureton and his team are wondering what’s next for NASA, and whether they will still be with the agency.

“People are anxious, but we're focused on getting the next missions out, that's all we really have to count on,” Cureton said.

While Paul tries to concentrate on the task at hand, his wife Ruth Cureton worries about him, as well as their five children.

“I'm afraid it's, I'm afraid it's going to be over if the president doesn't do something.”

The White House unveiled Obama’s budget in January. And while it did kill Constellation, it extended the life of the space station and it included $6 billion specifically for Kennedy Space Center.

Even Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson admitted the budget sends a mixed message saying, “The perception is that the president is killing the manned space program, which is not what he intends. But he's got to clear that up.” Nelson said.

Representative Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach, also has concerns with the current plan, or lack thereof, for NASA.

“There is a lack of specificity, a lack of vision, a lack of leadership, a lack of inspiration which is not acceptable to us going forward," Kosmas said.

With 12 percent unemployment in Brevard County and another 9,000 jobs or more on the line at Kennedy Space Center, both elected leaders hope the president’s space summit will create a clear vision.

“The goal ought to be Mars. NASA has already said the goal is Mars. Now the president needs to step forward and clearly define that goal,” Senator Nelson said.

So as Paul Cureton and his family await answers from the top, they simply hope the president’s vision includes them.

“I know we won't survive here, we're going to have to move and start over,” Ruth Cureton said.

We’d like you to join the conversation and share your questions for Obama. E-mail our producer to share your questions and we'll try to bring them to the president during the summit on April 15.