House Floor Statement of U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern on H.R. 3070, The FY 2006 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization

Contact: Michael Mershon
(202) 225-6101

July 22, 2005

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the FY 2006 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization and congratulate Chairman Boehlert, Ranking Member Gordon; and Subcommittee Chair Calvert and Ranking Member Mark Udall for their hard work on this bipartisan bill. It is not often we see a bill come to the floor with such unity, and I applaud their efforts.

On March 16, 1926, Robert Goddard, of Auburn, Massachusetts, successfully launched the first liquid fueled rocket. The first-of-its-kind rocket reached an altitude of only 40 feet, and its flight lasted only 2 seconds, but it inspired generations of future astronauts and scientists. Dr. Goddard, recalling his childhood curiosity for physics wrote: "I imagined how wonderful it would be to make some device which had even the possibility of ascending to Mars. I was a different boy when I descended the tree from when I ascended, for the existence at last seemed very purposive."

Robert Goddard would come to be known as the father of modern rocketry. And I know Dr. Goddard would be pleased to know that the exploration of Mars is well within our grasp.

By prioritizing human space travel, we are striving to maintain the United States as a leader in aeronautics. Projects such as the International Space Station encourage worldwide efforts in science, and it is important to participate.

The safety of our astronauts must remain our top priority. So I am pleased that the Committee has included funding in this bill for the Crew Exploration Vehicle. This vehicle will serve as a back-up should problems arise with the International Space Station. Through these missions we will be able to explore the long-term effects of space travel on humans, collect data regarding life on other planets and gain greater knowledge of the universe.

The spirit of Robert Goddard and NASA inspires children of all ages to imagine what is beyond the blue sky above. In my own district, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute has received $1.5 million dollars in the last 5 years for aerospace research projects. WPI has sent 150 undergraduate students to the Goddard Spaceflight Program, where they were able to research and develop such projects as gravity studies and sample contamination prevention. With ongoing partnerships with facilities across the country, WPI has formed a multi-decade bond with NASA. The knowledge gained from these undergraduate programs fosters not only a love of learning, but also often successful careers at NASA and other leaders in the aeronautics field.

NASA has always been a leader in educating young people about the wonders of space and aeronautics. Through outreach programs, NASA is able to engage students and encourage studies in math and sciences. This bill authorizes NASA to establish two annual Charles "Pete" Conrad Astronomy Awards for amateur astronomers. The first award would be presented to astronomers who, using amateur equipment only, discovered the brightest near-Earth asteroid during the past year. The second award would be presented to an amateur or group who made the greatest contribution to the Minor Planet Center's catalogue of near-Earth asteroids. Each award amounts to $3,000. By promoting the pursuit of science through such awards, we can engage children and young adults.

In the spirit of ingenuity, I am also pleased to mention $6.9 billion has been set aside for science, aeronautics and education activities. This will allow scientists to research such projects as hydrogen fuel-cell-powered aircraft that would have no hydrocarbon or nitrogen oxide emissions, and to study ways to reduce fuel consumption and noise levels of commercial aircraft. Important potential new markets could be created from these new technologies. In a society that is over-dependent on fossil fuels, this is money well-spent.

Again, Mr. Speaker I thank the authors of this bill for their hard work and I reserve the balance of my time.