A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING CONGRESS TO FULLY FUND THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION BUDGET REQUEST IN SUPPORT OF THE SPACE EXPLORATION VISION.

     WHEREAS, the United States is a nation of explorers; and

     WHEREAS, space exploration, particularly as carried out under the auspices of the national aeronautics and space administration, has generated more than its share of discovery through new technologies for everyday application, economic contributions through new markets and commercial products, education programs for future explorers, increased security capabilities and a legacy for future generations; and

     WHEREAS, the space exploration vision has set goals of returning the space shuttle to flight, completing assembly of the international space station, developing the crew exploration vehicle, returning humans to the moon and pursuing human exploration of Mars and the solar system; and

     WHEREAS, the national aeronautics and space administration has long inspired the next generation of explorers and scientists by example and through a variety of programs that encourage young people to pursue professional careers critical to the nation's future excellence, such as the space settlement design competition, the national aeronautics and space administration explorer schools and the science advisor program that have directly benefited the people of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, institutions of higher education across New Mexico have benefited immeasurably from the more than twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) they have received in national aeronautics and space administration grants and contracts annually; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is home to the national aeronautics and space administration's White Sands test facility and the White Sands complex, which positively impacts the state's economy by employing more than fifty-eight civil servants and approximately nine hundred forty contractors and by awarding one hundred four million dollars ($104,000,000) in national aeronautics and space administration contracts annually; and

     WHEREAS, the White Sands test facility provides the expertise and infrastructure to test and evaluate spacecraft materials, components and propulsion systems in order to enable the safe exploration and use of space, such as the White Sands space harbor, facilities for hypervelocity impact testing, including accommodations for hazardous targets, and a repair depot for components in the toxic hyperbolic propellant, oxygen and hydrogen systems aboard the shuttle and the international space station; and

     WHEREAS, White Sands complex provides tracking and data relay services for spacecraft, including the shuttle, in low earth orbit using a system of geosynchronous satellites and ground-based antenna systems; and

     WHEREAS, the talent, technology and infrastructure exist in New Mexico to continue providing the necessary resources to support national aeronautics and space administration's future missions;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that congress be requested to fully fund the national aeronautics and space administration budget request in support of space exploration vision, as submitted to congress for fiscal year 2006, to enable the United States and New Mexico to remain leaders in the exploration and development of space; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the administrator of the national aeronautics and space administration, the president of the United States and the New Mexico congressional delegation.