Ted Cruz visits Johnson Space Center to speak on importance of space exploration

HOUSTON – Sen. Ted Cruz held his daughter in the air, simulating weightlessness in the International Space Station, during a visit to the Johnson Space Center with his daughters Monday morning.

But the trip to NASA was serious. He was there to talk with leaders in space exploration about the challenges of growing their businesses in Texas.

He said he wanted to find a way to create jobs and grow aerospace companies here.

Cruz did not take questions or talk about the current U.S. presidential race. He did talk about the importance of getting NASA's funding approved.

PHOTOS: Sen. Ted Cruz tours Johnson Space Center

"We've seen in past transitions in administrations that uncertainty is not good for NASA and it's not good for space exploration. And we've seen what happens when major programs get canceled," Cruz said.

Cruz said that can lead to wasted money, dislocation and layoffs.

Bob Mitchell, president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership has seen this firsthand.

“We can't take a step back like we did with the Orion and we did with the previous administration. The president came in and canceled the Constellation program," Mitchell said.

Center director and former astronaut Ellen Ochoa told Senator Cruz that Johnson Space Center is making big progress as Cruz said the space station should keep flying through 2028.

“My job as center director is to make sure that we make the best use of every dollar that we get. And that's what we really focus on here at JSC," Ochoa said.