Bill Nelson: “Thank you, Mr. President. Falcon Heavy Rocket Just a few minutes ago, the largest rocket since the Moon program, the…”

“Thank you, Mr. President. Falcon Heavy Rocket Just a few minutes ago, the largest rocket since the Moon program, the Saturn V, launched from the Kennedy Space Center. People across the world saw it on TV, as well as over the internet. Thousands of people lined the beaches at the Kennedy Space Center. Perhaps even more impressive is that this rocket, with three Falcon 9s strapped together--27 engines--took a payload for its first test flight. It was so successful that the two side Falcon 9s, with the center core of the Falcon 9--we watched in amazement as they returned to Earth, 100 yards apart on two landing zones at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. At liftoff, the Falcon Heavy generates 500 million pounds of thrust and is twice as powerful as any other rocket currently flying. Especially with the ability to land and reuse the boosters, it promises to be a very affordable way to get to space. The test launch of the Falcon Heavy is a spectacular demonstration of the comeback of Florida's Space Coast and of the U.S. commercial launch sector, which is succeeding in a big way. Last year, we tied the all- time record for the number of U.S. commercial launches. That is good news for the civil space program; it is good news for national security; it is good news for employment in the United States; and it is great news for jobs and the economy. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maine.”