119th (2025–2027)
S.Res. 456
This Senate resolution commemorates the 40th anniversary of Space Shuttle Atlantis's first flight on October 3, 1985, and recognizes Kennedy Space Center's ongoing contributions to Florida and the nation. The resolution honors Atlantis's 33-mission career as part of NASA's Space Shuttle Program, which ran from 1981 to 2011 and completed 135 total missions that built the International Space Station and deployed satellites like the Hubble Space Telescope. The legislation acknowledges Kennedy Space Center's role as the exclusive launch site for all shuttle missions and its current economic impact, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and contributing billions annually to Florida's economy. The resolution also recognizes the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which serves over 1.5 million guests annually and features a $100 million Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit that opened in 2013, generating significant tourism revenue and providing STEM education. As a non-binding resolution, this measure requires no funding and simply expresses the Senate's recognition of these achievements and contributions.