Donna Edwards

The accomplishments in planetary science research and robotic exploration of the solar system are indicative of the exemplary work being done by NASA and its industry contractors.

As we move forward, let's think about our responsibility not just to U.S.-based companies, and we are concerned about those, but also to connecting our concerns with our international partners.

The issues raised by the Act on resource utilization and property rights are important and interesting areas that I hope the Subcommittee will continue to explore more substantively in the next Congress.

NASA's planetary science program wouldn't be what it is today without the contributions of leaders such as Dr. Hinners.

this element of this rent cap could end up costing the taxpayer millions of dollars if we do not resolve the issue.

And I want to thank all of the witnesses, too, because even when I do not agree with you, I do not think it is our job to harass you.

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…

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.

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

But in the real world, the 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.

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

Well, and it does seem to me--and, Mr. Chairman, I will conclude. It does seem to me that there is a fair amount of risk that is inherent when you can't entirely be accurate if it comes to predicting how you move a satellite, or how you…

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

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.

I think I share the view of our chairman and our ranking members that we will get WRRDA completed in short order.

I think this is a really important and timely hearing.

it would help us to make a more informed decision from a budget perspective and from an authorizing perspective

I support the President's Growth Initiative to make further investments in research and development.

I am and always have been and will be a passionate person about NASA and our space program and the people who work in it.