Ronald Reagan

“ In striving for excellence in space, we have expanded the horizon of human potential, brought countless scientific and economic benefits back to Earth, and demonstrated to ourselves and to the world our national vitality, courage, and imagination. ”

“ Theodore Roosevelt once said: "The foundation stone of national life is and ever must be the individual character of the individual citizen." Nowhere has that fact been better demonstrated than in our national quest for excellence, which has spurred Americans to strive to live up to the highest ideals of our nature and our heritage. ”

“ When the space shuttle is launched again, the world will know that, once again, the United States is back in space-ready to accept its boundless challenges and eager to pursue its countless opportunities. ”