[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 121 (Monday, September 14, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REPORT ON THE NATION'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN AERONAUTICS AND SPACE DURING 
          FISCAL YEAR 1997--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT--PM 156

  The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message 
from the President of the United States, together with an accompanying 
report; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.

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 (FY) 1997, 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 13 
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 FY 1997. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA) successfully completed eight Space Shuttle flights. There were 
23 successful U.S. Expendable Launch Vehicle (ELV) launches in FY 1997. 
Of those, 4 were NASA-managed missions, 2 were NASA-funded/Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA)-licensed missions, 5 were Department of 
Defense-managed missions, and 12 were FAA-licensed commercial launches. 
The Mars Pathfinder spacecraft and Sojourner rover captured the 
public's attention with a very successful mission. Scientists also made 
some dramatic new discoveries in various space-related fields such as 
space science, Earth science and remote sensing, and life and 
microgravity science. In aeronautics, activities included work on high-
speed research, advanced subsonic technology, and technologies designed 
to improve the safety and efficiency of our commercial airlines and air 
traffic control system.
  Close international cooperation with Russia occurred on the Shuttle-
Mir docking missions and on the International Space Station program. 
The United States also entered into new forms of cooperation with its 
partners in Europe, South America, and Asia.
  Thus, FY 1997 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, September 14, 1998.

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