Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman
October 7, 2022 | Press Releases
SANDUSKY, OH – Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) visited NASA’s Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility, located on 6,400 acres in the Lake Erie community of Sandusky and home to four world-class test facilities which performs complex and innovative ground tests for the international space community. While there, Portman received an update on the facility’s mission, how they are partnering with the U.S. Space Force, and what additional Space testing capabilities are on the horizon.
“It was great to be back at the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility today to hear more about the cutting edge work NASA is doing in regards to space exploration and how they are partnering with the U.S. Space Force,” said Portman. “I want to thank General David Stringer for hosting us today and for letting us see firsthand the amazing work the folks at Armstrong do every day. Ohio is the birthplace of aviation and the extraordinary work of everyone at the Neil A. Armstrong facility will keep our state at the tip of the spear for the aviation industry.”
In August of last year, Portman delivered remarks at the renaming ceremony of NASA’s Plum Brook Station to the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility after he and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) led the effort to rename the test facility, introducing legislation in 2019 that passed the Senate and House and was signed into law in December of 2020. Neil Armstrong began his NASA career at the test facility before becoming the first human to step on the surface of the moon, inspiring generations of Americans to push the boundaries of space exploration.
During his time in Congress, Senator Portman has worked to increase the range of capabilities for military installations throughout Ohio, create jobs and opportunity for Ohio’s servicemembers, and strengthen our national security. Portman is currently conducting a multi-week tour of Ohio defense installations to see first-hand projects that he has advocated for. These assets provide significant jobs and economic impact across Ohio and positively influence the national security of our country. A 2021 JobsOhio study found that Ohio defense spending accounts for more than 380,500 direct and indirect jobs, more than a $39 billion statewide economic impact, and accounts for almost 6 percent of Ohio’s economy.
This visit was the fourth stop of Portman’s defense tour across Ohio. On Wednesday, Portman visited the 121st Air Refueling Wing, located at the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, and the Ohio-based Battelle where Portman took a tour of their PFAS Annihilator which they are collaborating with federal agencies on. Earlier this morning, Portman visited the 180th Fighter Wing at the Toledo Air National Guard Base.
Photos from today’s visit can be found below:
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