Letter from Sen. Mikulski to Acting NASA Administrator Fred Gregory regarding Hubble servicing mission work

March 2, 2005

Hon. Frederick D. Gregory

Acting Administrator

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

300 E. Street, SW

Washington, DC 20024

Dear Acting Administrator Gregory:

As you know, the FY 05 Omnibus Appropriations Act set aside $291 million for a servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope and declared it to be one of NASA’s highest priorities. I expect NASA to carry out Congress’ intent and spend the entire amount appropriated this year so there will be no interruption in the planning, preparation and engineering work that will be necessary for a servicing mission to Hubble.

The funding that I included in the Omnibus Appropriations Act is to ensure that the workforce at Goddard, the Space Telescope Science Institute and their associated contractors remain fully engaged in all aspects of a servicing mission. Any attempt to cancel, terminate or suspend servicing activity would be a violation of the law unless it has the approval of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.

Congress will once again consider additional funding for a Hubble servicing mission in the context of the FY 06 budget. In the meantime, planning, preparation and engineering work must continue without interruption in accordance with the terms and conditions of the FY 05 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Sincerely

Barbara A. Mikulski

Ranking Member

Subcommittee on VA/HUD
and Independent Agencies