October 29, 1998



PRESIDENT CLINTON:
HONORING AMERICA'S SPACE PROGRAM

I can think of no better way to celebrate NASA's 40th Anniversary than to come here today and witness, along with each of you, history in the making. With the return of John Glenn to space, NASA has reignited the sense of excitement and national purpose that is so much a part of our space program.

President Bill Clinton
October 29, 1998

Today, President Clinton will be at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to view the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery, which will take Senator John Glenn and six crewmates into space for an almost nine day mission, during which time the crew will conduct more than 80 scientific experiments ranging from the inner realm of the human body to the study of the Sun and solar activity.

The President Salutes Senator Glenn's Leadership And Courage. More than thirty-six years ago, Senator John Glenn made history when he became the first American to orbit the Earth, and today, he will return to space as part of a multi-national crew with the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery. This mission will accumulate valuable scientific data, and Senator Glenn will be a test subject for specific investigations which mimic the effect of aging, including the loss of muscle mass and bone density, a depressed immune system, and the loss of balance. As he returns to space, Senator Glenn, who inspired many current astronauts to pursue space flight as a career, continues to inspire people of all generations with this flight.

President Clinton Has Helped Transform The U.S. Space Program. Over the past six years, the Clinton Administration has established and implemented a series of space policies to address a broad range of civil, national security, and commercial activities. These policies are based on the cumulative experience of the United States in space, they recognize the current domestic and international environments—most importantly, the end of the Cold War—and they reflect the growing maturity of U.S. government, commercial, and international space capabilities. America's space program enhances our knowledge of the Earth, solar system, and universe through human and robotic exploration; strengthens national security; enhances the economic competitiveness and scientific and technical capabilities of the United States; and promotes international cooperation to further U.S. domestic, national security, and foreign policies.

A Strong Record Of Accomplishment. America's accomplishments in space under the Clinton Administration span a range of civil, commercial, and national security programs that support hundreds of thousands of high-tech, high-wage jobs across the country. Specific highlights of U.S. space accomplishments under President Clinton include:



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