Rep. Calvert Congratulates NASA and Crew of Discovery

Washington – Congressman Ken Calvert applauded the safe return of the Space Shuttle Discovery today. Discovery and her crew successfully completed a 13 day mission to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) and test procedures for evaluating the condition of, and repairing, the Shuttle’s heat shield while in orbit.

“I want to offer my congratulations to NASA Administrator Mike Griffin, the crew of Discovery, and the men and women of NASA who worked hard to make Discovery’s mission a success. I look forward to the remaining shuttle flights to complete the ISS and perhaps service the Hubble Space Telescope before the Shuttle is retired in 2010 and NASA transitions to the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). America’s space program has a bright future. Discovery’s mission highlights our continuing cooperation with our international partners. I was privileged to meet Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi after his flight on STS-114 and I wish European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Reiter all the best for his mission aboard the ISS. Discovery’s mission continues the building blocks of the Vision for Space Exploration to the Moon, Mars and beyond,” said Calvert, who serves as the Chairman of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee in the House of Representatives.