Michael Griffin Space Quotations

Let me be clear. The primary objective for the next several years is to develop a new vehicle for lower orbit and beyond, following the orderly retirement of the space shuttle.

But the space program is a long-term investment in our future. We must deal with our short-term problems while not sacrificing our long-term investments in our future. When we have a hurricane, we don't cancel the Air Force. We don't cancel the Navy. And we're not going to cancel NASA.

What we are talking about is completely traditional in the bulk of our economy, ... We need more of this in the space enterprise.

NASA appreciates the efforts of Congress to resolve restrictions placed on our partnership with Russia. Congress' action helps to ensure the continuous presence of U.S. astronauts on the International Space Station.

To make a decision to work in the field of space science is almost the ultimate in delayed gratification.

The decision was to put together an assembly sequence that allows us high confidence that we will finish the space station by the time the shuttle is retired.

We're going to try as hard as we can to get back in space this year because we have a big construction project we're working on and we need the shuttle to do it, ... So, we're going to try as hard as we can, but we're not going to go until we're ready to go.

The space program has had no better friend in its entire existence than Tom DeLay. He's still with us and we need to keep him there.

The space program is a long-term investment in our future,

The space program is a long-term investment in our future. We must deal with our short-term problems without sacrificing our long-term investments in our future.

This is a sad day for NASA. ... But also one of renewed hope for the future of NASA's manned space flight program. The end of the Shuttle Program means that we will begin a new program that will be bigger better and more expensive than anything we have undertaken before. I'm proud of the people that have kept the shuttle going, but the Shuttle Program is done. Its time for the shuttle, like an old dog, to lie on the porch and let the younger dogs chase the rabbits.

The administration remains committed to the vision for space exploration it has announced. That included a number of components, one of which addressed the fly out of the shuttle and the building of the station. We aren't departing from that.

It will be able to carry larger and heavier cargos into space and allow more people to stay on the moon for longer periods of time.

It's a very bold vision for space exploration,

The legislation passed by Congress reflects the U.S. government's continuing commitment to nonproliferation objectives but also recognizes the value of international cooperation in space exploration.