Gov. Schwarzenegger Commends Space Shuttle Launch

Press Release

Governor Schwarzenegger today commended the crew of the space shuttle Endeavour on their launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida and wished them luck on their mission to the International Space Station. STS-118's crew of seven includes two California natives.

Barbara Morgan, born in Fresno, is an educator-astronaut who was selected for the NASA Teacher in Space Program in 1985 as the backup candidate and as a mission specialist in 1998. Morgan will operate the shuttle's robotic arm. Dr. Tracy Caldwell, born in Arcadia, earned her doctorate from the University of California, Davis and undergraduate degree from California State University, Fullerton. She was also selected by NASA in 1998.

"California is proud to have Barbara Morgan and Tracy Caldwell—two California natives—as part of the seven-astronaut team on board the space shuttle Endeavour," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "They are part of a long tradition of California astronauts and companies who play a critical part in making each launch a success."

"When Americans see the space shuttle, they are seeing the hard work and ingenuity of many California space-enterprise companies. From research and design, to launch system development and testing, to life support and communication networks, it is the hard work and creative solutions coming from California that make the dream of space travel and space tourism a reality for the future."

With the largest aerospace economy in the nation, California is a leader in manufacturing, innovation, high-tech, high-paying jobs, and research and development. In addition, the state has a distinguished history of excellence and many of its scientific contributions have flown aboard NASA missions. In 2006, NASA obligated $1.8 billion in the state including $1.2 billion for businesses and $500 million for educational institutions.

In addition, California houses numerous space research facilities including the Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, Dryden Flight Research Center in the western Mojave Desert and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, managed by the California Institute of Technology.

"By building on the Golden State's rich legacy of 20th Century aeronautics and aeronautical engineering capabilities, California companies have given the world innumerable space technology breakthroughs and they continue to transform our nation's technological abilities," said Governor Schwarzenegger.

"Maria and I extend our gratitude to the crew of the Endeavour for their commitment to advancing the science of space exploration and wish them the best of luck on their mission. We are proud to say that America's space shuttle is powered by California dreams."

During this mission, the crew will conduct one of the most complex and difficult space station assembly missions—delivering a third starboard truss segment.

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