Congressman Lamar Smith Hosts Live Downlink with the International Space Station

Space inspires future generations to dream big and work hard. Many Americans remember where they were 45 years ago when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. The first foot prints on the moon’s surface were made by Americans.

As Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I recently hosted a special live downlink with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Members of the committee had the opportunity to ask U.S. Astronauts Steven Swanson and Reid Wiseman questions about their work in the Destiny Lab aboard the ISS. During our conversation, the astronauts were in orbit 260 miles above the Earth and were traveling at 17,000 miles per hour. The space station is roughly the size of a football field and has space for up to six astronauts to live and work. I believe the U.S. should always lead the way in space exploration.