Prime Minister offers congratulations on successful launch of Mars Express

To further highlight America's leadership in the standing of the worlds other spacefaring nations may be slipping, I reference the launch of Mars Express.

The Mars Express was was Europe's first spacecraft sent to mars. Upon the launch of the Mars Express orbiter, Prime Minister Tony Blaire offered his congratulations:

"This mission to Mars is a historic opportunity for the UK, working with our European Partners, to demonstrate itself as a world leader in science, technology and innovation. Beagle 2 is an exciting project, which combines the best in UK science and industry, and a powerful example of the benefits of Government's continued investment and support in this area. Beagle 2 offers fascinating potential to learn more about the fundamental origins of life. I wish it good luck on a difficult and challenging mission."

Europeans are using Mars Express to prove and further establish itself as a powerful force in the areas of science, technology and innovation. The national attention and recognition are precisely the things that Griffin argued are needed for the American space program.