[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S13698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   REPORT ON AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ACTIVITIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000--
                   MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT--PM 62

  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) 2000, 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 11 
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 2000. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA) successfully completed four Space shuttle flights. In terms of 
robotic space flights, there were 24 U.S. expendable launch vehicle 
launches in FY 2000. Five of these launches were NASA-managed missions, 
nine were Department of Defense (DOD)--managed missions, and eight were 
FAA-licensed commercial launches. In addition, NASA flew on payload as 
a secondary payload on one of the FAA licensed commercial launches. 
This year, two new launch vehicles debuted: the Lockheed Martin Atlas 
IIIA and the Boeing Delta III, each serving as transition vehicles 
leading the way for the new generation of evolved expendable launch 
vehicles.
  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 aerospace, achievements included 
the demonstration of technologies that will reduce the environmental 
impact of aircraft operations, reinvigorate the general aviation 
industry, improve the safety and efficiency of U.S. commercial airlines 
and air traffic control system, and reduce the future cost of access to 
space.
  The United States also entered into many new agreements for 
cooperation with its international partners around the world in many 
areas of space activity.
  Thus, FY 2000 was a very successful one for U.S. aeronautics and 
space programs. Efforts in their areas have contributed significantly 
to the Nation's scientific and technical knowledge, international 
cooperation, a healthier environment, and a more competitive economy.
                                                      George W. Bush.  
The White House, December 19, 2001.

                          ____________________