[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 55 (Thursday, March 29, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S4155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate an event 
that occurred 25 years ago in New Mexico.
  Most of my colleagues know White Sands Missile Range, WSMR, NM, is a 
premier test, evaluation and research site, but WSMR's role in the 1982 
landing of the Space Shuttle Columbia is less well known.
  WSMR's gypsum landing strips visible from space and the excellent 
weather in New Mexico have made WSMR a potential Space Shuttle launch 
and landing site since the beginning of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. 
However, WSMR has never been NASA's first choice for a landing site. 
But in March of 1982, the preferred landing site at Edwards Air Force 
Base was soaked with heavy rains. Because it was unclear when the 
runway surface would be dry enough to support Columbia's landing, WSMR 
was chosen as an alternative landing site.
  Commander Jack R. Lousma and pilot C. Gordon Fullerton landed the 
Space Shuttle Columbia on WSMR's Northrup Strip at 9:05 a.m. on 
Tuesday, March 30, 1982. About 4,000 individuals witnessed the landing, 
and another 90,000 had the opportunity to see the Space Shuttle 
Columbia at WSMR before its return to Kennedy Space Center. I remember 
this event as a day of pride for me and my fellow New Mexicans, as our 
home State played such a visible role in the U.S. space mission.
  Today I wish to commemorate this important part of White Sands 
Missile Range's history and honor the men and women who were a part of 
the Space Shuttle Columbia's landing at WSMR. While the Space Shuttle 
Columbia has been the only shuttle to land at WSMR, New Mexico stands 
ready to serve NASA again should the need arise. In fact, as recently 
as December 2006 NASA officials considered landing the Space Shuttle 
Discovery at WSMR because of poor conditions at Kennedy Space Center 
and Edwards Air Force Base. WSMR prepared for that situation, and I 
have full confidence that they will continue to work to support NASA 
and other Federal entities as needed.

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