[NorthTexasSpace] SpaceX Rocket Launch Successful

--- On Sat, 6/5/10, Curtis wrote:

From: Curtis
Subject: [NorthTexasSpace] SpaceX Rocket Launch Successful
To: NorthTexasSpace@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, June 5, 2010, 8:13 AM

In particular, Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison gave faint praise to the endeavor:

"This first successful test flight of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is a belated sign that efforts to develop modest commercial space cargo capabilities are showing some promising signs. While this test flight was important, the program to demonstrate commercial cargo and crew transport capabilities, which I support, was intended to enhance not replace NASA's own proven abilities to deliver critical cargo and humans to low Earth orbit. Make no mistake, even this modest success is more than a year behind schedule, and the project deadlines of other private space companies continue to slip as well. This test does not change the fact that commercial space programs are not ready to close the gap in human spaceflight if the space shuttle is retired this year with no proven replacement capability and the Constellation program is simultaneously canceled as the president proposes."

To which founder Elon Musk replied:

"We do all of our engine testing and development in Texas," he told reporters. "We're one of the fastest-growing employers in Texas. Why is she trying to hurt a Texas company? That's wrong. And the people of Texas ought to be aware of that. The people of Texas ought to be electing politicians that are going to be working to help their state, not hurt their state."

Keep this in mind when it's time to elect your senator in 2012!