[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 164 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H12821-H12822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REPORT ON NATION'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN AERONAUTICS AND SPACE DURING FISCAL 
       YEAR 1998--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following message

[[Page H12822]]

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 (FY) 1998, 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 FY 1998. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA) successfully completed five Space Shuttle flights. There were 29 
successful Expendable Launch Vehicle (ELV) launches in FY 1998. Of 
those, 3 were NASA-managed missions, 2 were NASA-funded/Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA)-licensed missions, 8 were Department of 
Defense (DOD)-managed missions, and 16 were FAA-licensed commercial 
launches. 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 ISS program. The United States also 
entered into new forms of cooperation with its partners in Europe, 
South America, and Asia.
  Thus, FY 1998 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, November 18, 1999.

                          ____________________