News

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio today issued the following statement to mark the 30th anniversary of the space shuttle program and NASA’s announcement that the orbiter Atlantis will be retired at the Kennedy Space Center:

“Thirty years ago today, the United States launched its first space shuttle mission from Kennedy Space Center, demonstrating our country’s commitment to space exploration and our future. The past thirty years have been marked by American leadership in space, as our scientists expanded the reach and real world impact of human discovery. On this anniversary, it is only fitting that the orbiter Atlantis is being retired at Kennedy Space Center, the location of every single shuttle launch. This announcement is a testament to all of the hard working men and women along the space coast, and the remarkable accomplishments they have achieved over the past thirty years. For Floridians and visitors from around the world, the orbiter at Kennedy Space Center will serve as an enduring symbol of the limitless potential of American ingenuity and leadership in the world. While this is welcome news for Florida, I am nonetheless concerned about the overall impact NASA’s retreat from manned space exploration will have on scientific progress, our economy and national security.”