Bill Nelson

We are going to have a 3D compendium of everything that is happening to the earth.

We cannot identify every object. However, NEO Surveyor will be able to identify 90 percent of all the potential asteroids that are greater than 140 meters wide within the 10 years of the launch.

I would say that there is a significant difference of opinion about that.

I assure you NASA is and will be if, I am around, not only bipartisan, but nonpartisan, and it will continue that way.

First of all, understand that among young people, which we actively recruit in our intern program, the excitement about space--I often say, 'space is the place,' but that is not some light statement.

The President's Budget request for NASA is an investment in our Nation's future.

I would not want us to be there second because what is to say, if you recall the history of China, the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, and suddenly they are claiming that is their territory.

I want us to get there first.

I think what you have said, a 5-year authorization bill, would be very, very well received in the aerospace community.

That would mean 25 percent less fuel, which is a good thing for the airlines, but might also be a good thing in the overall energy policy of the country.

I commend you for a multi-year proposal.

This design is giving, along with the improvement in the engines, a 25-percent greater efficiency.

You and I in this committee have a different approach to what is happening to the earth's climate.

Indeed I do, and another thing that you were looking at is thermoplastic composites as a new material...

If we show up at the Shackleton Crater, I highly doubt the communist--Chinese Communist Party will care much about how we have advanced an equity action plan.

One of the reasons you and I were able to accomplish so much on this committee is both of us worked very hard to keep politics out of NASA and to focus on the core mission of exploration.

I look forward to working with him and Ranking Member Cruz to make sure that NASA and the United States keep their leadership position.

We cannot operate our science agencies on the cheap, and we should not operate them without clear, multi-year direction.

NASA is committed to building a diverse, skilled future STEM workforce--our next generation of explorers with the technical skills needed to carry forward our Nation's vital mission.

NASA clearly has a vested interest in attracting, engaging, and preparing its future STEM professionals.

This research is absolutely critical for us exploring the heavens.

Yes, ma'am, and let me give you a specific answer to your question.

We do everything that we can to partner with not only commercial industry but also universities and other academic institutions.

There has got to be not only our effort, and it looks like we have to lead the international effort, to be serious about designing everything that we are launching, that it has a minimal amount, preferably none, amount of junk that is…

China is playing for keeps, and space is, you know, sort of ground zero for that competition that we are in.