Shaheen Hosts NASA Administrator Nelson at UNH Space Science Center to Highlight University’s Role in Support of U.S. Space Program

**Shaheen is Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that Funds NASA**

Senator Shaheen and NASA Administrator Nelson at UNH earlier today.

(Durham, NH) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), hosted NASA Administrator Bill Nelson this afternoon at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to showcase the University’s impressive work in support of the U.S. Space Program.  

Specifically, Shaheen and Nelson met with UNH representatives to learn more about the UNH heliophysics program at the Space Science Center. UNH is a leading heliophysics research institution, with instruments on 16 of 22 operating heliophysics missions. Shaheen and Nelson also toured the UNH Space Science Center Assembly Area, experimental space physics lab and Anechoic chambers and met with faculty in a roundtable discussion.  

“It’s always exciting to show off the groundbreaking work of Granite State institutions and programs, and that is especially true when it comes to the incredible research and development advancements at UNH in support of the U.S. Space Program,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m so glad Administrator Nelson could visit UNH to see the talent and exceptionalism of students and faculty up close who are helping to develop the equipment necessary to further our understanding of the sun and how it engages with earth and the solar system. New Hampshire is a small state but we punch above our weight when it comes to the impact we have on the nation and world. I can’t think of a better way to showcase that than with the innovation underway in Durham to bridge the next frontier – space.” 

“NASA’s commercial and academic partnerships in New Hampshire demonstrate the power of investing in America and American innovation. Our collaboration creates good-paying jobs and puts the state at the forefront in science, technology, and research,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “New Hampshire’s work with NASA is preparing the Artemis Generation to both protect our planet and propel humanity back to the Moon and then onward to Mars.” 

“We are so proud of the work being done at UNH’s Space Science Center and always welcome the chance to share the interdisciplinary research that is in our DNA with Administrator Nelson and Senator Shaheen,” said Harlan Spence, director of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space and the lead for NASA’s HelioSwarm mission. “We take great pride in our continued partnership with NASA and the leadership role UNH has assumed in exploring space, especially in discoveries around the solar wind, radiation and how to safely send astronauts to the moon and beyond.” 

As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NASA, Senator Shaheen routinely secures robust funding to support the United States’ continued leadership in space. In the fiscal year (FY) 2023 government funding law, Shaheen secured $25.4 billion for NASA. This funding supports critical programs ranging from climate research to space missions. In addition, within the $8 billion Shaheen secured for NASA Science, $805 million is for NASA Heliophysics, an increase of $27 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. Senator Shaheen previously hosted a virtual roundtable with former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine to highlight contracting opportunities for Granite State small businesses to support NASA’s ongoing space exploration technology research efforts and the Artemis program, which aims to land the next humans on the Moon, including the first female and first person of color. Shaheen met with Artemis II astronauts in Washington last month. In 2019, Bridenstine joined Shaheen in visits to the University of New Hampshire's Space Science Center and Mikrolar, a contractor for NASA. The events came on the heels of UNH’s selection by NASA for a highly-competitive $107.9 million contract award through the Earth Venture program.  

###