Washington, D.C. – House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Space Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas) released the following statements on Tuesday’s Pluto flyby of the New Horizons spacecraft.

Chairman Smith: “These are the events that catch our imaginations and remind us why we must continue investing in planetary science and NASA’s mission of space exploration. Planetary science missions give us a closer look at our solar system and help lead the way for human missions.”

Space Subcommittee Chairman Babin: “This exciting feat demonstrates our limitless appetite to know what lies beyond Earth and furthers our hopes of sending pioneers deeper into space. Our investments in planetary science and space exploration press the limits of technology, nurture our inquisitiveness and drive innovation here on Earth.”