Rep. Adams Statement on the Discovery Shuttle Returning to Earth Safely

Discovery Arrives Home from its Final Voyage

Washington, D.C. – Representative Sandy Adams (FL-24) issued the following statement today as the Space Shuttle Discovery landed after its final flight. Discovery has flown a total of 39 missions since its maiden voyage on August 30, 1984 and is the most flown spacecraft in history.

“I was honored to be able to attend the Discovery’s final launch and I want to salute Commander Steve Lindsey and the five other brave astronauts who completed a successful voyage to space. The Discovery’s landing at Kennedy Space Center marks the beginning of the end of NASA’s 30 year space shuttle program. Discovery has carried over 180 courageous astronauts to space including the first female shuttle commander and shuttle pilot in history, and along with the rest of NASA’s space shuttle program, has been an American flagship and a symbol of strength for our country. Over the past 30 years, children around the world have aspired to be just like the brave astronauts who have represented America in space exploration. NASA’s space shuttle program is not only symbolic, but it has led to technological innovations and developments in mathematics and scientific research, as well as thousands of private sector jobs surrounding the space industry. As this era comes to an end, it is more important than ever that we don’t lose sight of NASA’s human spaceflight program, and is why I will continue my efforts in the House to keep human space flight as a top priority of NASA.”

NOTE: Representative Adams also submitted a written statement to the Congressional Record today recognizing the Discovery’s final launch, which is included in the attached document.

++++

March 9, 2011 Honoring The Space Shuttle Discovery Crew

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome home the Space Shuttle Discovery and its crew of six from the STS-133 mission. The Space Shuttle Discovery landed safely at Kennedy Space Center located in Florida’s 24th Congressional District this morning. The brave astronauts of Discovery spent 13 days in Space and delivered their payload to the International Space Station flawlessly.

This is the final flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery and with its now 39th successful mission since 1984, including the delivery of the Hubble Space Telescope and the Ulysses robotic probe; we will bid farewell to the most traveled spacecraft in our fleet. Discovery has carried over 180 courageous astronauts to space including the first female shuttle commander and shuttle pilot in history and has been a symbol of space exploration and technological innovation for decades.

I offer my congratulations on a job well done to Commander Steve Lindsey, Pilot Eric Boe, and Mission Specialists Alvin Drew, Steve Bowen, Michael Barratt, and Nicole Stott. They are true American heroes and pioneers in the race for discovery and exploration. Welcome home team.