May 25, 2012

David Weaver Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1898 david s weaver@nasa gov

Phil Larson Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President 202-456-6043 plarson@ostp eop gov

RELEASE: 12-173

STATEMENT BY JOHN P HOLDREN, ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ON THE DOCKING OF THE DRAGON SPACECRAFT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

WASHINGTON - Following the Friday, May 25, docking of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft with the International Space Station, John P Holdren, assistant to the President for science and technology policy, issued the following statement:

"For the first time, a private American company has successfully launched a spacecraft into orbit and berthed it with the International Space Station--an achievement of historic scientific and technological significance and a key milestone in President Obama's vision for America's continued leadership in space

That is exactly what the President had in mind when he laid out a fresh course for NASA to explore new scientific frontiers and take Americans even deeper into our solar system while relying on private-sector innovators--working in the competitive free market--to ferry astronauts and cargo to low Earth orbit and the International Space Station It's essential we maintain such competition and fully support this burgeoning and capable industry to get U S astronauts back on American launch vehicles as soon as possible

I could not be prouder of our scientists and engineers--both government and private sector employees--who have contributed to this historic mission A passion for discovery and a sense for adventure have always driven this nation forward, and I join all Americans in watching what future possibilities are enabled by today's great achievement "

For more information on the SpaceX flight, visit:

http://www nasa gov/spacex

For more information on the Office of Science and Technology Policy, visit:

http://www whitehouse gov/administration/eop/ostp

-end-

To subscribe to the list, send a message to: hqnews-subscribe@mediaservices nasa gov To remove your address from the list, send a message to: hqnews-unsubscribe@mediaservices nasa gov

The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription:

You are subscribed to the following list: [list_name]

using the following email: example@example.com

You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL:

https://aus-city com/cgi-bin/dada/mail cgi/u/NASA_REPORTS/example/example com/

If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism

You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen:

<[program_url]/list/[list]>

If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at:

<mailto:[list_owner_email]>

The following physical address is associated with this mailing list:

[physical_address]