[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 29, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E92]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. EXPLORER I SATELLITE AND 
       THE BIRTH OF THE UNITED STATES' SPACE EXPLORATION PROGRAM

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                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2008

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing a 
resolution to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the launch of the U.S. 
Explorer I satellite, and the birth of the United States' space 
exploration program. I am pleased that Chairman Bart Gordon, Ranking 
Member Ralph Hall, Rep. Tom Feeney, and Rep. Nick Lampson have joined 
me as original cosponsors and I thank them for their support.
  On January 31, 1958, the United States successfully launched its 
first satellite into space and began a 50-year journey of exploration 
and achievement in space that continues to this day.
  Yet the launch of Explorer I was not just a ``photo-op''. Explorer I 
carried a scientific package that included a cosmic ray detector and 
marked the first ever use of a satellite to carry out scientific 
research in outer space. Because of that detector, developed by Dr. 
James Van Allen of the University of Iowa, the United States made a 
significant discovery about the Earth's environment--namely, the 
discovery of regions of energetic charged particles trapped in the 
Earth's magnetic field--later referred to as the Van Allen radiation 
belts.
  In addition, Explorer I was the first in a succession of small 
scientific spacecraft that continue to be an integral component of the 
U.S. space science program and an invaluable training ground for young 
scientists and engineers.
  In light of all that, I ask my colleagues in Congress to join me in 
extending our profound thanks and appreciation for the contributions of 
the late Dr. James Van Allen and his team as well as those of the 
individuals at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Army Ballistic 
Missile Agency who made possible the success of Explorer I and the 
birth of our space program.
  Since the launch of Explorer I, the U.S. space program has maintained 
a record of high aspirations and remarkable accomplishments. America 
sent the first astronauts to the Moon and has launched robotic probes 
to study each of the planets in the solar system as well as the Earth's 
Moon. Moreover, American spacecraft have helped investigate the origin 
and structure of the universe and the formation of galaxies and stars--
including our own Sun. Finally, our space program has delivered 
significant benefits to our citizens through communications and weather 
satellites, navigational and positioning systems, and remote sensing 
satellites that have helped increase our understanding of the Earth and 
its environment and our ability to manage our resources.
  All in all, it has been an exciting half-century of U.S. human and 
robotic space exploration.
  As we honor Explorer I and the birth of the U.S. space program, it is 
appropriate to remember that our efforts in space exploration have 
inspired generations of our young people to pursue careers in science 
and engineering. In addition, it is clear that the scientific and 
engineering advances of the U.S. space program have yielded dividends 
that have helped promote America's technological preeminence in the 
world as well as foster economic growth here at home.
  As we look forward to the next 50 years in space exploration and 
utilization, it is important that Congress continue to support science 
and engineering educators and programs that will help prepare the men 
and women who will lead the United States in pushing back the frontiers 
of space exploration in coming years.
  In closing, I think that America's space program has been a vital 
contributor to the nation's well being and standing in the world, as 
well as to significant scientific and technological advances over the 
last five decades. It is fitting and proper that we pause to celebrate 
and honor the anniversary of Explorer I and the birth of the U.S. space 
program--and to rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of a robust and 
vital space program over the next 50 years.
  I hope that all Members will join me and my cosponsors in supporting 
this resolution.

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