SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 302

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft program and the launch of its first craft, Goddard; and

WHEREAS, Goddard was launched on November 13, 2006, from a site near El Paso; it ascended for approximately 10 seconds and reached a height of about 285 feet; and

WHEREAS, Blue Origin was founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, the founder of the online retailer Amazon, to develop a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle called New Shepard that would make spaceflight more affordable and allow more passengers to travel to the edge of space; and

WHEREAS, While no timeframe for commercial trips has been announced, it is suggested that they could start as early as 2010; and

WHEREAS, Blue Origin is working to recruit engineers to develop the vehicle design further and to increase the altitude and duration of flights; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby congratulate Jeff Bezos on the successful launch of his first craft, Goddard, and extend to him best wishes for success in Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft program; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for all those involved with the launch as an expression of admiration and high regard from the Texas Senate. Uresti

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 20, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate