But before we look at interim steps, we need first to understand what it takes to get to Mars.

Thank you very much, and thanks to our witnesses. I have to say, the work that you do is among the most exciting that those of us who are laypeople can think about.

This finding means we are making progress in answering the fundamental questions of where do we come from and whether we are alone in the Universe.

The search for exoplanets is one of the most exciting subjects in all of astronomy.

I have a statement that is submitted by the Planetary Society expressing concerns about the Fiscal Year 2014 budget that I would like to request be entered into the record.

The successful test flight speaks well of the teamwork among Orbital, NASA, the Wallops Flight Facility.

Today, we're meeting to review the $17.7 billion request for NASA's Fiscal Year 2014 budget.

Well, I will let Congressman Rohrabacher take his time talking about China.

I would like to better understand that, especially in this fiscal environment.

The problem of near-Earth objects (NEO) impacting Earth and possibly causing great harm is worrisome but preventable--if we put our minds and resources into it.

Imagine that, a capability critical to saving the world from potentially hazardous asteroids needed to be saved by a private donor.

It is fitting that this Committee is considering U.S. government agency roles and responsibilities in NEO detection, tracking, and mitigation.