Bill Clinton: “At a time when our long-term economic strength depends on our technological leadership and our ability to reduce the…”

“At a time when our long-term economic strength depends on our technological leadership and our ability to reduce the deficit, we must invest in technology but invest wisely, making the best possible use of every dollar. That's why I asked for a review of NASA's space station program. Concerns over rising costs and mismanagement raised serious questions about a program vital to our technological leadership. I instructed NASA to redesign the space station program in a way that would preserve its critical science and space research and ensure international cooperation, but significantly reduce costs and improve management. NASA has met that challenge, offering a plan that will substantially reduce costs to taxpayers, improve management, preserve research, and allow the United States to continue to work with its international partners and keep its international commitments. That was the conclusion of an outstanding panel of independent experts who carefully reviewed NASA's proposals. And that is my conclusion as well, after thoroughly considering their report and recommendations. It will take not just a redesign of the space station but a redesign of NASA itself. I am calling for the U.S. to work with our international partners to develop a reduced-cost, scaled-down version of the original Space Station Freedom.…”