Citing a “legacy of excellence,” Sen. Katie Britt praised the Yellowhammer State’s contributions to space exploration.

Her comments were to NASA Administration Bill Nelson during a recent hearing of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations with NASA.

“They (Marshall Space Flight Center) have created a legacy of excellence,” said Britt (R-Montgomery). “The men and women there have put in the work to literally take us to new heights, and we are all better for it.”

As NASA prepares to send Americans to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, she noted much of the work to meet that goal is taking place at the NASA center in Huntsville. She also cited the Space Launch System and the role that Marshall employees played in that launch in November.

“Tens of thousands of very talented and smart people throughout the country – including in my home state of Alabama – were responsible for a flawless SLS launch,” she said. “I am deeply proud of what they have accomplished, and I’m very interested in making sure we keep this momentum going.”

During his testimony, Nelson said exploration is now going to be a major priority for NASA going forward.

“NASA has set a bold vision for the future, one defined by innovation and exploration throughout the heavens,” he said.

Britt said that she believes Alabamians will continue to play an integral role in American exploration both now and in the future.

“We have to take advantage of the progress we have made and the workforce that has been built over the years,” she said. “We need to be preparing now for a more sustained cadence of launches for Artemis IV, V, and beyond. There will be a new generation of boys and girls across America who look up to the moon at night, knowing that walking its surface is not just a dream but a reality.

“Once again, it will be thanks to the innovation, grit, and determination of Alabamians that our nation not only expands the limits of human achievement – but quite literally grows the imagination of what one day might and will be possible.”

Artemis IV in 2028 will set the stage for NASA to continue missions to the lunar surface on an annual basis, and the program ultimately aims to reach Mars and additional milestones in deep space exploration.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.