Kay Bailey Hutchison, Feb. 7, 2003

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and into the pages of history. As a reporter in Houston, I was privileged to cover that historic event which defined a generation. That moment also embodied the greatness and unlimited promise of America's space program.

The tragic fate of the Space Shuttle Columbia confronts us with a choice: renew our commitment to space exploration, or continue cutting NASA's budget and diluting its mission. The story thus far is bleak. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's budget has been cut to the bone in the last decade. In fact, the space shuttle budget has decreased by nearly 40 percent over that period. Year after year, we have watched the numbers dwindle and projects suffocate because of inadequate funds.

People have asked me why we still need a space program. We sent a man to the moon more than three decades ago ... now what?

Space exploration and research have improved our quality of life in ways that many Americans take for granted. The work conducted by NASA astronauts, researchers and engineers has yielded more than 30,000 developments in technology, medicine, and defense.

From satellites, which allow instant access to news and information around the globe, and cell phones, which forever changed the way we live, to every day amenities such as cordless appliances - all were developed through our space program.

NASA research has been an integral part of our nation's military efforts as well. Space-based and satellite imagery, as well as global positioning systems, have been critical to helping our Armed Forces pinpoint the enemy on the battlefields of Afghanistan, helping to bring a swift end to the Taliban and chase al Qaeda out of the country. NASA is also helping to develop the next generation of the unmanned aerial vehicle, the Predator, which allows us to see the battlefield, find the enemy and send in precision-guided munitions - all without putting our troops in harm's way.

Perhaps our greatest achievement has been in the field of medical science. CAT scans and MRIs are revolutionizing our ability to detect tumors early and save lives. Neither technology would be possible without NASA research.

The crew of Columbia was conducting experiments - human and scientific - in fields ranging from biomedicine to microbial physiology to yield new pharmaceuticals, treatments, and research. Studying the effects of medicines on human bodies in space enables NASA to make greater advances in how we treat people on earth.

Yet despite these developments and innovations, NASA's funding has fallen short.

In February, President Bush proposed a budget that, thankfully, begins the long process of reversing this trend. He is asking Congress for $15.47 billion - a 3.1 percent increase. While that is progress, it is merely a drop in the bucket. It will take more than a one-year increase to turn the tide and bring our space exploration program back from the brink.

Few things Congress has done have reaped greater rewards than supporting NASA's mission. But just as important as adequate funding is that NASA defines a clear vision for the future.

The tragic loss of the seven astronauts aboard Columbia was a wake-up call to Congress and the American people. We must renew our commitment to space exploration. We know that the cost of progress can be high, but the cost of complacency is far greater.

In recent years, NASA's mission has become muddled. In the new millennium, NASA must set forth a distinct mission that outlines clear objectives and goals. Congress must ensure adequate funding to support that mission, and the American people must continue to support our nation's quest for space exploration. We owe it to the heroes who lost their lives and the loved ones they left behind to continue their journey and discover the mysteries that lay hidden in the universe.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison represents Texas in the U.S. Senate.