[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 26, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H6973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  0115
 REPORT ON NATION'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN AERONAUTICS AND SPACE, FISCAL YEAR 
         1995--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood) laid before the House the 
following message from the President of the United States; which was 
read and, together with the accompanying papers, without objection, 
referred to the Committee on Science:
To the Congress of the United States:
  I am pleased to transmit this report on the Nation's achievements in 
aeronautics and space during fiscal year 1995, as required under 
section 206 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 2476). Aeronautics and space activities involved 14 
contributing departments and agencies of the Federal Government, and 
the results of their ongoing research and development affect the Nation 
in many ways.
  A wide variety of aeronautics and space developments took place 
during fiscal year 1995. The National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (NASA) successfully completed seven Space Shuttle 
flights. A Shuttle program highlight was the docking of the Shuttle 
Atlantis with the Russian space station Mir.
  NASA launched three Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELV), while the 
Department of Defense (DOD) successfully conducted five ELV launches. 
These launches included satellites to study space physics, track 
Earth's weather patterns, and support military communications. In 
addition, there were 12 commercial launches carried out from Government 
facilities that the Office of Commercial Space Transportation (OCST), 
within the Department of Transportation (DOT), licensed and monitored.
  NASA continued the search for a more affordable space launch system 
for the coming years with its Reusable Launch Vehicle program. NASA 
hopes to develop new kinds of launch technologies that will enable a 
private launch industry to become financially feasible.
  In aeronautics, activities included development of technologies to 
improve performance, increase safety, reduce engine noise, and assist 
U.S. industry to be more competitive in the world market. Air traffic 
control activities focused on various automation systems to increase 
flight safety and enhance the efficient use of airspace.
  Scientists made some dramatic new discoveries in various space-
related fields. Astronomers gained new insights into the size and age 
of our universe in addition to studying our solar system. Earth 
scientists continued to study the complex interactions of physical 
forces that influence our weather and environment and reached new 
conclusions about ozone depletion. Agencies such as the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA), as well as the Departments of Agriculture and 
the Interior, used remote-sensing technologies to better understand 
terrestrial changes. Microgravity researchers conducted studies to 
prepare for the long-duration stays of humans that are planned for the 
upcoming International Space Station.
  International cooperation, particularly with Russia, occurred in a 
variety of aerospace areas. In addition to the Shuttle-Mir docking 
mission and the Russian partnership on the International Space Station, 
U.S. and Russian personnel also continued close cooperation on various 
aeronautics projects.
  Thus, fiscal year 1995 was a very successful one for U.S. aeronautics 
and space programs. Efforts in these areas have contributed 
significantly to the Nation's scientific and technical knowledge, 
international cooperation, a healthier environment, and a more 
competitive economy.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, June 26, 1996.

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