Rep. Steny Hoyer Fighting for NASA Hubble Servicing Mission

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) released the following statement today condemning reports that the Bush Administration is eliminating funds and scuttling all proposals to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.  The Hubble Space Telescope is managed and operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center which is located in Congressman Hoyer’s district.

“I am very concerned about reports that the Bush Administration may eliminate federal funds to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope from its budget for fiscal year 2006.  Since its launch in 1990, the Hubble Telescope’s state of the art technology has dramatically changed our understanding of the universe and produced thousands of extraordinary discoveries.

“Last year, the National Academy of Sciences made it clear in its evaluation of the Hubble Space Telescope that the Hubble discoveries are ‘among the most significant intellectual achievements of the space science program,’ and NASA should commit to a servicing mission to preserve Hubble. 

“The recommendation by the National Academy of Sciences is a clear recognition of the unique role that the Hubble Space Telescope plays in broadening our scientific understanding of the observable universe and the importance of taking the appropriate measures to ensure Hubble remains viable. 

“Furthermore, nearly $300 million was included in the fiscal year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations bill for a servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope – a clear indication by the Congress that it is committed to preserving Hubble.  I also worked to include a provision that would prevent the use of these funds to de-orbit Hubble

“I urge the Administration to provide sufficient funding in the budget for a servicing mission to repair Hubble and I will fight to ensure that a new servicing mission is adequately funded and supported.”

The Hubble Space Telescope is managed and operated by Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland for the Office of Space Science at NASA Headquarters.  The scientific operations of the Hubble Space Telescope Mission are conducted at the Space Telescope Scientist Institute, located at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.