if we are really to commit to this goal, if the Congress is, this is not about nickeling and diming other programmatic missions within NASA.

I don't think we want NASA committing to those sins either, but we do have to have a budget from the Congress.

I think there is significant alignment between the House-passed authorization and the NRC's recommendations.

It is an important consideration to look at NASA's mission and the complications of balancing both the openness that is expected in the scientific and research innovation community and cooperation around the world with these really…

we included for the first time provisions that I have been quite a champion of, using innovative green and low-impact technologies.

So hearing from the stakeholders, you took that into consideration and you have extended the rule... the comment period?

I think there are many of us in the public who really appreciate both the work of the EPA and the Army Corps in protecting our water and making sure that it is clean.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and welcome to everyone to today's hearing.

I am really not prepared to legislate yet, because I feel like there is still a lot we need to know.

The real world nature of the danger was brought into stark focus by the aftermath of the 2007 anti-satellite test conducted by China.

the accuracy of all of the events depicted in the movie 'Gravity' can be questioned, there is no doubt it has made the public more aware of the danger of orbital debris.

So what are we doing to make space travel safe from orbital debris?