[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 197 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1671-E1672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       EDWARD MESSER RETIREMENT FROM JPL NASA DEEP SPACE NETWORK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL COOK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2018

  Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions 
that Edward Messer has made throughout his thirty-five years of service 
towards the JPL Deep Space Network.
  Edward Messer's 35 year contribution to our space program began in 
1982, as an operations Station technician in charge of handling 
spacecraft telecommunications for orbital supports and support of human 
space missions. Edward soon had the opportunity to operate the Space 
Shuttle Command System, through which he manually transmitted commands 
to the shuttles, supporting many missions for the shuttle program. 
Additionally, Edward operated Shuttle TV which transmitted Shuttle live 
video to a global audience. In the late 1980's, Edward served as the 
Operations Chief Tech in the Deep Space Network, granting him the 
opportunity to support various launches, landings, and orbit 
insertions, as well as establishing and maintaining communication links 
with spacecraft journeying across the solar system. Missions throughout 
his career ranged from the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope and 
landing the Pathfinder mission on Mars to the orbital insertion and 
tracking of the Cassini mission studying the rings and moons

[[Page E1672]]

of Saturn. Edward was eventually promoted to Spacecraft Operations 
Shift Supervisor, giving him increased responsibility and oversight of 
a team of Link Operators.
  Edward Messer retired from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on 
September 28, 2018. Edward's commitment to his work and scientific 
endeavor has greatly contributed to our understanding of the solar 
system. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I 
thank Mr. Messer for all his contributions towards our local community 
and the future planetary advances that will result from his work.

                          ____________________