Smith Praises House Passage of NASA Bill

Press Release

Smith Praises House Passage of NASA Bill

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, today praised yesterday's passage of H.R. 6063, a bill reauthorizing the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) for fiscal year 2009 and continuing plans for sending astronauts to the moon and Mars.

"America's space program and NASA have improved our lives in countless ways in the past 50 years. NASA has provided us with smoke detectors, eye charts, flat screen televisions, cell phones, Velcro, GPS systems, wireless networks, cordless power tools, and even zippers.

"This bill reaffirms our commitment to America's space program and the new technologies yet to come," Smith said.

NASA's Space Shuttle fleet will be retired in 2010. The Administration plans a five-year gap between the retirement of the Space Shuttle and the arrival of the next generation launch systems.

The bill authorizes additional funds to minimize U.S. reliance on - and cash payments to - Russia for access to the International Space Station by accelerating the development of next generation launch systems replacing the retiring Space Shuttle Program.

H.R. 6063 authorizes $853 million for research. NASA is the only civilian agency conducting aeronautics Research and Development with the goal of developing safer, quieter, cleaner, more fuel efficient aircraft.

The bill also fully authorizes the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program, to encourage private sector entrepreneurship and promote math and science education by fully funding NASA's education program.

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