Why We Need To Keep Pushing For The Stars

(Washington D.C.)- Today, America is expected to again show why it remains the world's leader in space exploration.

NASA's "Return to Flight" mission will take seven astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station, where they will test new safety techniques and deliver badly needed supplies. Today's launch will be our first opportunity since 2003 to send the shuttle into orbit, and it's an event we all must appreciate for its significance.

Two years ago, the American people witnessed the tragic events of the Columbia accident, which threatened to ground NASA's manned space program indefinitely. But that tragic day has led our best scientists and researchers to persevere in making our space shuttles safer and their missions less risky. NASA's space shuttle must be the best space vehicle in the world to do the job demanded of it, but it also must protect our astronauts.

In the 1960s, we began the race to the moon, and the United States reached that lofty goal six times, with the nation watching and listening to every mission. We won that race then, and now must again adopt that same spirit of enthusiasm for space exploration.

Today's mission continues the efforts begun decades ago with the clearly defined words of President Kennedy, who announced to the world that America "would land a man on the moon and return him safely back to the Earth."

In a similar spirit, President Bush has laid out a plan that sets a goal of returning Americans to the moon within 15 years. The president's plan will again make space exploration an exciting and educational priority. He has made it clear that within the next half century, America will be the world leader in space exploration, with missions to the moon, Mars and beyond.

We are not the only ones pursuing this goal. America is once again in a space race. European countries are competing against us to be the first to land a person on Mars. To win this race, NASA must work with the private sector, universities around the country and possibly other nations to overcome the most challenging technological obstacles NASA has yet faced. The success of the president's plan is predicated on these goals being in the heart of tomorrow's scientists and engineers.

A couple of weeks ago, my colleagues and I on the U.S. House's Space and Aeronautics Committee passed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005. This legislation, which is expected to soon be passed by the full House, strengthens NASA and gives Administrator Mike Griffin the tools he needs to work toward completing the International Space Station and pursuing the president's vision.

In a world torn by war and terrorism, the NASA space program brings the promise of a brighter tomorrow. Exploring the endless boundaries of our universe is an effort linked to no political party or branch of government. It belongs not just to Americans, but to humankind. We must continue to do what humans have always done — explore.