Date: 2003-02-05
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. human space exploration Is Inherently risky. Distance. speed and an environment that can not support human life combine to make human space flights particularly precarious. Unfortunately the world has new evidence of the dangers associated with space exploration. Millions watched as Images of a singular. brilliant point of light in the sky became two. three. and four points of light as space shuttle Columbia brbke apart over my home State of Texas. I join the rest of the country and the world In mourning the seven brave astronauts whom we lost in this national tragedy. The outpouring of sympathy from the citizens of the world Is recognition that the crew heroically put their lives on the line in the name of science and research. More than a decade ago. January 28th. 1986. our countrys space program was dealt another tragedy as we lost the crew of the space shuttle Challenger. The findings of the "Report of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident" (referred to as the Rogers Commission Report) .have changed NASA procedures to make human space flight safe. It is incumbent upon the federal government to conduct a vigorous and comprehensive investigation to uncover and alleviate the events that led to Columbias accident. I pledge to do what I can to help our space program recover from this terrible setback so these important endeavors can flourish in the future. As a Senior member of the Science Committee. I will work closely with my House colleagues to assist NASA and Harold Gehman Jr. who will lead the special investigative commission. I am the ranking member of the Science Subcommittee on Basic Research. In this important capacity. I have taken a major leadership role regarding Americas commitment to technological development and scientific research and application. As such. I am a firm believer that the United States will continue our space program that has accomplished so much in the areas of research and science. This important and beneficial program is essential to advancing technology. Specific technological advances made possible by space research include the arteriosclerosis detection. ultrasound scanners. automatic Insulin pump. portable xray device. invisible braces. dental arch wire. palate surgery technology. clean room apparel. implantable heart aid. MRI. bone analyzer. and cataract surgery tools. The Space Shuttle Program has yielded many lifesaving medical tests. accessibility advances for the physically challenged. and products that make our lives more safe and enjoyable. Such as: Digital Imaging Breast Biopsy SystemThe LORAD Stereo Guide Breast Biopsy system incorporates advanced Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs) as part of a digital camera system. The resulting device images breast tissue more clearly and efficiently. Known as stereotactic largecore needle biopsy. this nonsurgical system developed with Space Telescope Technology is less traumatic and greatly reduces the pain. scarring. radiation exposure. time. and costs associated with invasive surgical biopsies. Breast Cancer DetectionA solar cell sensor is positioned directly beneath xray film. and determines exactly when film has received sufficient radiation and has been exposed to optimum density. Associated electronic equipment then sends a signal to cut off the xray source. Reductionof mammography xray exposure reduces radiation hazard and doubles the number of patient exams per machine. Laser AngioplastyLaser angioplasty with a "cool" type of laser. caller an excimer laser. does not damage blood vessel walls and offers precise nonsurgical cleaning of clogged arteries with extraordinary precision and fewer complications than in balloon angioplasty. Blood Serum ResearchAn astronauts body. once free of gravitys pull. experiences a redistribution of body fluids that can lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells and produce a form of space anemia. Monitoring and evaluating blood serum was required to understand these phenomena. However. existing bloodanalyslq technology required the use of a centrifugation technology that was not practical In space. NASA developed new technologies for the collection and realtime analysis of blood as well as other bodily fluids without the need for centrifugation. Ultrasound Skin Damage AssessnfentAdvanced instrument using NASA ultrasound technology enables immediate assessment of burn damage depth. improving patient treatment. and may save lives in serious burn cases. Lifesaving LightSpecial lighting technology developed for plantgrowlh experiments on Space Shuttle missions is now used to treat brain tumors in children. Doctors at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee use lightemitting diodes in a treatment called photodynamic therapy. a form of chemotherapy. to kill cancerous tumors. Human Tissue StimulatorEmploying NASA satellite technology. the device is Implanted in the body to help patient control chronic pain and Involuntary motion disorders through electrical stimulation of targeted nerve centers or particular areas of the brain. 3D BiotechnologyDeveloped for Space Shuttle medical research. a rotating cellculture device simulates the microgravity of space. This allows researchers to grow cells in three dimensions. The device may one day help researchers find cures for dangerous infectious diseases and offer alternatives to patients who need organ transplant surgery. Cool SuitCustommade suit derived from space suits circulates coolant through tubes to lower patients body temperature. producing dramatic improvement of symptoms of multiple sclerosis. cerebral palsy. spina bifida and other conditions. Programmable PacemakerIncorporating multiple NASA technologies. the system consists of the implant and a physicians computer console containing the programming and a data printer. Communicates through wireless telemetry signals. Ocular ScreeningNASA image processing techniques are used to detect eye problems in very young children. An electronic flash from a 35millimeter camera sends light into the childs eyes. and a photorefractor analyzes the retinal reflexes. producing an image of each eye. Automated UrinalysisNASA fluid dynamics studies helped development of system that automatically extracts and transfers sediment from urine sample to an analyzer microscope. replacing the manual centrifuge method. Medical Gas AnalyzerAstronautmonitoring technology used to develop system to monitor operating rooms for analysis of anesthetic gasses and measurement of oxygen. carbon dioxide. and nitrogen concentrations to assure proper breathing environment for surgery patients. VoiceControlled WheelchairNASA feteoperator and robot technology used to develop chair and manipulator that respond to 35 oneword voice commands utilizing a minicomputer to help patient perform daily tasks. like picking up packages. opening doors. and turning on appliances. Land Mine RemovalThe same rocket fuel that helps launch the Space Shuttle is now being used to save livesby destroying land mines. A flare device. using leftover fuel donated.by NASA. Is placed next to the uncovered land mine and is Ignited from a safe distance using a batterytriggered electric match. The explosive burns away. disabling the mine and rendering it harmless. Rescue 911Rescue squads have a new extrication tool to help remove accident victims from wrecked vehicles. The handheld device requires no auxiliary power systems or cumbersome hoses and is 70 percent cheaper than previous rescue equipment. The cutter uses a miniature version of the explosive charges that separate devices on the Space Shuttle. Byte Out of CrimeImageprocessing technology used to analyze Space Shuttle launch videos and to study meteorological Images also helps law enforcement agencies improve crimesolving videos. The technology removes defects due to image jitter. image rotation and Image zoom in video sequences. The technology also may be useful for medical imaging. scientific applications and home video. Product LabelingNASA needs to identify. track. and keep records on each of the thousands of heatshield tiles on the Space Shuttle. This required a labeling system that could be put on ceramic material and withstand the rigors of space travel to be readable after a flight. NASA developed high datadensity. twodimensional. .machinereadable symbol. technology used to mark individual tiles. This novel method of labeling products with invisible and virtually indestructible markings can be used on electronic parts. pharmaceuticals and livestockin fact on just about anything. Keep Cool Under FireMaterials from the Space Shuttle thermal protection system are used on NASCAR racing cars to protectdrivers from the extreme heat generated by the engines. This same naterial is also used to protect firefighters. Fire Resistant FoamA unique foam developed for Space Shuttle thermal Insulation and packing. is now being used as thermal and acoustical insulation in aerospace. marine and Industrial products. Since its also fire resistant. its being used as well for fire barriers. packaging and other applications requiring either hightemperature or very lowtemperature insulation in critical environments. For example. use of these foam products by airframe manufacturers such as Boeing. LockheedMartin. and Airbus provides major weight savings. while retaining good thermal and acoustical properties in the various products. Fire SighlingA sensitive. gas infrared camera. used by NASA observers to monitor I297 the blazing plumes from the Space Shuttles solid rocket boosters Is also capable of scanning for fires. Firefighters use this handheld camera to pinpoint the hotspots of wildfires that rage out of control. Gem Jewelers no longer have to worry about Inhaling dangerous asbestos fibers from the blocks they use as soldering bases. Space Shuttle heatshield tiles offer jewelers a safer soldering base with temperature resistance far beyond the 1.400 degrees Fahrenheit generated by the jewelers torch. Jet StrippingNASA developed a tool that uses powerful jet streams of water to strip paint and primer from the Space Shuttles solid rocket boosters. A commercial version of this water jet Is now used to treat turbineengine components. airframe components. large aerospace hardware. ships and other mechanical devices. using only pure water. No hazardous chemicals are needed. Quick Fit FasternersFastening items In space Is a difficult task. A Virginia company developed a fastener that can be pushed on. rather than turned. These quickconnect fasteners are flexible and strong. and have been used by NASA astronauts since 1989. The product is now in use by firefighters and nuclear powerplant repair technicians. and has other commercial applications. Computer JoysticksComputer games can now be played with all the precision and sensitivity needed for a safe and soft Space Shuttle touchdown. A gamecontrolling joystick for personal computerbased entertainment systems was modeled after controls used in shuttle simulators. Astronauts used the joystick to practice runway landings and orbit maneuvering. Toys For TotsAlready successful with Its Nerf toy products. Hasbro. Inc. wanted to design a toy. glider that a child could fly. Benefitting from NASA Windtunnel and aerodynamic expertise used in the Space Shuttle program. Hasbro improved the flying distances and looptoloop stunts of Its toy gliders. As witnessed. the Space Shuttle can be configured to carry many different types of equipment. spacecraft and scientific experiments. The Space Shuttle is essential in the assembly of the Intemational Space Station (advancing life sciences & technology through longduration missions) and repairing and servicing the Hubble Space Telescope (enabling many new discoveries In Space Science). As an enabling function. the Space Shuttle is fully engaged in providing services for earth and physical science research. The Space Shuttle also engages the private sector in the development of space by providing flight opportunities for industry. academia and government to conduct applied research relevant to NASAs mission through access to the space environment. I will foresee that cooperative activities with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). the National Science Foundation (NSF). the Department of Defense (DoD) and other U.S. agencies will continue to advance knowledge of health. medicine. science and technology. STS107. which was lost on February 1. 2003. was a 16day mission dedicated to research In physical. life. and space sciences. conducted In approximately 80 separate experiments. comprised of hundreds of samples and test points. With two Americans and a Russian still stationed at the International Space Station. it is imperative that this program not come to a halt. This most unfortunate and tragic loss of five men and two women. representing a mosaic of races and nationalities. will be mourned and those great American heroes will not be forgotten.