Adams Comments on NASA SLS Announcement

Washington, D.C. – In response to today’s announcement by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that it is proceeding with development of the Space Launch System (SLS), Representative Sandy Adams (FL-24) released the following statement.

“Finally, after months of wrangling and delays regarding the future of deep space exploration and the design of a future vehicle for NASA, there is a decision. While I wish this announcement had been made over eight months ago in compliance with the NASA Authorization Act, I am pleased to see we finally have a design for the Space Launch System.

“As NASA turns over operation of the National Lab portion of the Space Station to the Florida-based Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, and the transportation of cargo and crew to the private commercial industry, NASA can at long last focus on achieving what my constituents and I believe is such an important role; space exploration.

“As I have expressed many times in Science, Space, and Technology Committee hearings, America needs transparency and accountability in how NASA develops the SLS. It is time for NASA to give Congress a schedule – a hard and fast timeline – so American taxpayers have no doubt how their money is being spent on this effort. The days of unaccountable calendar and cost overruns are over, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to hold NASA accountable for the future of human spaceflight and job creation on Florida’s Space Coast.”