Rep. Whitesides Introduces Bipartisan Bill Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle Enterprise Rollout in the Antelope Valley

WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, Reps. George Whitesides (D-CA), Vince Fong (R-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), and Judy Chu (D-CA) introduced legislation honoring the 50th anniversary of the rollout of the Space Shuttle Enterprise, the first orbiter built for NASA's space shuttle program. Enterprise debuted from the Rockwell International plant in Palmdale, California, on September 17, 1976. Rep. Whitesides' resolution also highlights the engineers, technicians, and other workers from the Antelope Valley who designed, constructed, and tested the spacecraft. The Space Shuttle Enterprise is now on display at the Intrepid Museum in New York City.

"The Antelope Valley has long been on the cutting edge of our country's aerospace industry, and Enterprise's rollout in Palmdale fifty years ago was a key moment in that history," said Rep. Whitesides. "The know-how and spirit of the men and women who made Enterprise possible continues to inspire us today and is still central to the Antelope Valley's culture and manufacturing prowess. Every step forward and innovation we make is built on their hard work, which is why I am thrilled to honor their efforts with this resolution."

"Fifty years ago, the Space Shuttle Enterprise rolled out of Palmdale and captured the imagination of a nation," said Congressman Vince Fong. "Our region continues to be at the forefront of American aerospace, from Chuck Yeager to the Space Shuttle. The engineers, researchers, technicians, and workers who built the Enterprise represent the very best of what the Aerospace Valley produces: an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible. From those flight tests above Edwards Air Force Base to the next generation of aerospace innovation being developed at places like NAWS China Lake, NASA Armstrong, and Mojave Air and Space Port, that spirit of American excellence lives on in our community."

"As the lead Democrat on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I'm proud to join Rep. Whitesides in commemorating fifty years since the historic Space Shuttle Enterprise rollout," said Rep. Lofgren. "The level of public excitement around Enterprise, particularly among Star Trek fans, was truly a special moment and huge milestone for America's space program. What a great source of pride this shuttle was for NASA, for the state of California, and for our country."

"As Co-Chair of the Congressional Planetary Science Caucus and the representative of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, I know that investing in space exploration is critical to the United States-from our national security, to our economy, to our leadership in scientific discovery and technological innovation," said Rep. Chu. "Our nation's legacy of success in space is all thanks to decades of strong funding for NASA, as well as the hard work of countless scientists and space experts. That is why I'm thrilled to join Representative Whitesides in introducing this resolution to commemorate the 50th anniversary of NASA's Space Shuttle Enterprise rollout and honor the dedicated space workforce, especially in California, who continue to make our space program possible."

Enterprise conducted five free flight tests that proved the safety of the shuttle's handling and landing characteristics in the air above Edwards Air Force Base within the Antelope Valley. The Space Shuttle program flew 135 missions over three decades and advanced human spaceflight, scientific research, and international cooperation in space.

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