WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congresswoman Kay Granger, along with eighteen other Members of Congress, witnessed the launch of space shuttle Endeavour from the Kennedy Space Center this morning. The space shuttle, STS-123, launched at 2:30 a.m. and is bound for the International Space Station where it will transport a science station built by the Japanese, called a Kibo.
“NASA and the space program have had an enormous impact on our nation and the world over the past five decades. To witness the shuttle launch first-hand was incredible,” said Granger.
Granger was part of a congressional delegation trip, hosted by Rep. Nick Lampson, to gain a better understanding of the technology used and the resources necessary to maintain the space program. Aside from witnessing the shuttle launch, delegation members toured the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) where shuttles are maintained and received a pre-launch briefing from NASA officials on the mission of STS-123, which represents all five international partners.
Other Members of the delegation included: Bart Gordon (D-TN), Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Brad Miller (D-NC), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Adrian Smith (D-WA), Phil Gingrey (R-GA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Shimkus (R-IL), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), John Carter (R-TX), Vic Snyder (D-AR) and Dave Reichert (D-WA).