U.S. Sen. Mikulski Praises Successful Launch and Test Flight of NASA’s Orion Spacecraft

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski:

Appropriations Committee Chairwoman has fought to keep the Orion mission on track as a champion for American space science, discovery and jobs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NASA, issued the following statement after today’s successful launch and test flight of the Orion spacecraft aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket:

“We are one step closer to returning humans beyond low Earth orbit with today’s successful test flight of NASA’s Orion spacecraft.

“Our nation is in an amazing race – the race for discovery and new knowledge, the race to remain competitive. Taking the next step in human space exploration aboard an American spacecraft will keep our country at the forefront of science, research and discovery, supporting jobs today and jobs tomorrow. And it means the dream of space will continue to inspire schoolchildren to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics, preparing them to be future scientists and innovators.

“Congratulations to the talented men and women at NASA, Lockheed Martin and the United Launch Alliance on a successful launch and test flight of Orion, paving the way for the future of America’s space exploration.”

As Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the CJS Appropriations Subcommittee that funds science, technology and space exploration, Senator Mikulski has continued to fight for federal investments in science, technology, research and education that lead to American innovation and American jobs. In the Senate’s fiscal year 2015 CJS Appropriations bill, Senator Mikulski secured $1.2 billion in federal funds to keep the Orion mission on track.