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September 30, 2013

Science Committee Democrats Congratulate Orbital Sciences Corp. and NASA on Successful Berthing to the ISS

(Washington, DC) – On Sunday, September 29, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) captured and attached the Cygnus cargo resupply spacecraft to the station’s Harmony node. Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Subcommittee on Space Ranking Member Donna Edwards (D-MD) today congratulated the Orbital Sciences Corporation and NASA teams following the successful capture and berthing of Cygnus.

Ranking Member Johnson said, “I applaud the teams at NASA and at Orbital Sciences for their outstanding accomplishment. NASA and its partners continue to pave the path forward to developing a U.S. commercial space transportation industry. Milestones such as this are encouraging as we endeavor to support a lasting infrastructure in space. In particular, I look forward to the establishment of routine cargo resupply flights to the ISS and the potentially breakthrough research on the station supported by such flights.”

Subcommittee on Space Ranking Member Edwards said, “Sunday’s capture of the Cygnus spacecraft by the ISS is another great example of the work being done by NASA to promote U.S. leadership in the development of the commercial spaceflight industry. I want to congratulate the men and women of NASA, the Wallops Launch Facility, Orbital Sciences, supporting contractors, and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport for this successful demonstration and am eager for Orbital Sciences’ continued success, including completing its first Commercial Resupply Services mission planned for this December.”