Bill Posey: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This bill adequately funds the Space Launch System, the rocket which will carry the Orion…”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This bill adequately funds the Space Launch System, the rocket which will carry the Orion capsule into space, and I am grateful for that. It adequately funds exploration ground systems, which are essential to getting Orion off the ground, and I am really grateful for that. But without sufficiently funding the Orion capsule, we will be delaying the deep space exploration missions. Orion is a very unique and very special spacecraft, unlike any we have ever sent into space, possessing capabilities to carry astronauts deeper into space than humans have ever gone before. The technological and engineering challenges are enormous, and it requires proper funding to get the job done. It is critical that Orion receives adequate funding to remain on schedule. My rough calculations indicate this funding level, so much less than authorized, can result in the delay of having Orion online by as much as 2 years. Imagine having our space launch systems ready to go, our exploration ground systems ready to go, and no space capsule ready to fly for 2 more years after that. That would be disastrous. Unfortunately, when Congress assigns tasks to NASA and does not provide adequate funding, American's space program gets criticized and maligned for being behind schedule, when it is actually Congress that caused the problem.…”