[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11235-S11236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF NASA

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, on October 1, 1958, the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created. No other 
Government agency better represents the hopes and experiences of our 
Nation during the course of its existence than NASA. To recall why that 
is so, let's look back to where we were 40 years ago.
  In October 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the world's 
first artificial satellite. Many have claimed this had a ``Pearl 
Harbor'' effect on the American people and galvanized public opinion in 
favor of an aggressive U.S. space program. Americans believed that the 
Soviet Union had gained a significant technological advantage over the 
United States--bomb shelters were built at an even more rapid rate as 
we turned our attention to the space race.
  Then-Senator Lyndon Johnson, from my state of Texas, said that the 
launch of Sputnik was ``* * * a new era of history dawning over the 
world.'' He warned a Texas audience that, ``The mere fact that the 
Soviets can put a satellite in the sky * * * does not alter the world 
balance of power. But it does mean they are in a position to alter the 
balance of power.''
  Shortly thereafter, Senator Johnson introduced legislation to create 
NASA and harnessed the energies, talents, and aspirations of a nation 
embarking on a bold, new enterprise. The act reflected a remarkable 
unanimity by the American people and a commitment to science and 
exploration.
  NASA wasted no time in bringing America into the space race. Shortly 
after it was formed, NASA conducted several exciting programs that 
launched us ahead of the Soviet Union in our quest to conquer space.
  One of the most important initiatives involved human space flight--
Mercury's single astronaut program, Project Gemini's operations and 
Project Apollo to explore the Moon. These names conjure up strong 
images of fearless astronauts doing the impossible. In 1961, Alan B. 
Shepard became

[[Page S11236]]

the first American to fly in space. Of course, we remember him because 
he died just recently. In 1962, John Glenn, who now serves with us in 
the U.S. Senate, became the first American to orbit the Earth. Project 
Gemini allowed two astronauts to travel in space. On Gemini IV, Edward 
White became the first American to conduct a space walk.
  In 1969, just 11 years after the creation of NASA, and less than a 
decade after President Kennedy committed America to the project, Apollo 
11 landed on the Moon and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made the 
dramatic ``leap'' for mankind. NASA completed five more lunar missions 
and learned much about the origins of the Moon, as well as how to 
support humans in outer space. Twelve American astronauts walked on the 
Moon during the six Apollo missions. Nothing symbolizes the uniqueness 
of this great Nation better than the American flag flying on the lunar 
surface.
  In 1975, NASA joined hands with its former competitor in the space 
race and cooperated with the Soviet Union to achieve the first 
international human space flight. This project successfully tested 
joint rendezvous and docking procedures for spacecraft from the United 
States and the Soviet Union.
  In 1981, the advent of the space shuttle ushered in a new era of 
space travel and exploration. By creating a reusable launch vehicle, 
NASA was making access to space now more affordable. The disaster of 
the Challenger brought the shuttle program to a rapid standstill. It 
was a harsh reminder that the exploration of space is a dangerous and 
unpredictable undertaking. Seven astronauts gave their lives on that 
mission in an effort to further our knowledge of the universe. We owe 
them and their families our eternal gratitude and respect.
  Two years after the Challenger disaster, we returned to space. 
Through mid-1998, NASA has safely launched 65 shuttle missions. These 
missions have included a wide variety of scientific and engineering 
missions. There are currently four shuttles in NASA's fleet and NASA is 
working with the private sector to reduce the cost of space flight even 
more. Two experimental vehicles, the X-33 and X-34, are prototypes for 
cheaper, more efficient reusable launch vehicles that would provide 
commercial entities with access to space. I commend NASA for continuing 
to look to the future and the challenges that lie there.
  One of our colleagues, John Glenn, is scheduled to return to space on 
October 29th. It was in NASA's earliest days that John Glenn made 
history by bring the first American to orbit the Earth. Now he is 
making history again by being the oldest person to fly in space.
  Looking forward to the next 40 years, NASA's future is as bright as 
its past. NASA's core mission of any future space exploration will be 
man's departure from Earth orbit and journeys to the Moon or Mars. This 
will require extended, even permanent, stays in space and has led NASA 
to begin construction of the International Space Station.
  In 1984, Congress authorized NASA to build the space station as a 
base for further exploration of space. A project of this magnitude was 
certain to face a multitude of unkonwns--and NASA has confronted many 
of them. As has always been the case, though, NASA will overcome these 
obstacles and we will reap the rewards of doing so.
  For example, NASA has developed a unique technology, a bioreactor, 
that allows medical researchers to produce breakthrough results by 
creating ``artificial'' human tissues outside the human body. This 
bioreactor has provided new knowledge in cell science and tissue 
engineering that will bring exciting advances in medicine and the 
treatment of disease. This amazing technology is already being used by 
scientists who are growing ovarian tumor samples so they can conduct 
studies outside the body and without harm to the patient.
  The absence of gravity on the space station also will allow new 
insights into human health and disease prevention and treatment, 
including heart, lung, and kidney function, cardiovascular disease, 
osteoporosis, and immune system functions.
  In recent years, NASA has obtained scientific data from space 
experiments that is five times more accurate than that on Earth. None 
of these benefits will be available unless we have a space station on 
which we can perform adequate research.
  The space station is the greatest peaceful scientific international 
endeavor undertaken. This is our future and space is one of the last 
unexplored regions of our universe. It holds untold knowledge and could 
catapult us into even greater understanding of our world and yet 
undiscovered worlds. Yes, the station will provide us with fantastic 
science--but that is only one of the known positives of this great 
endeavor. The unknowns are limitless and could provide us with 
unimaginable discoveries. We are on the very cusp of launching the 
first elements in November of this year, with the second element to 
follow in December.
  Since its inception in 1958, NASA has accomplished many great 
scientific and technological feats. NASA's technology has been adapted 
for many nonaerospace uses by the private sector. We can thank NASA for 
so many things--from car phone technology, satellite imagery, the CAT 
scan, to Velcro and freeze dried ice cream. At its fortieth 
anniversary, NASA remains a leading force in scientific research and is 
one of the best examples of the American spirit and our can-do 
attitude.
  We are proud of what NASA has achieved, and on this 40th anniversary 
we do have a number of accomplishments to celebrate.
  I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
  Mr. SESSIONS addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama is recognized.

                          ____________________