By B. Raack, KWMU
Washington, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Todd Akin says it is important to continue to fund NASA's space exploration program despite the failure of the shuttle Columbia.
The St. Louis County Republican sits on the House Science Committee, which will hold hearings into the cause the disaster. Akin says he wants to learn why the Shuttle broke apart upon re-entry before discussing the NASA budget.
Akin says his committee's hearings could begin as early as this week.