Package Of Four Measures Approved By The Panel

Members of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee today approved a package of four space bills intended to bring stability and certainty to the growing commercial space market. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) this week introduced the Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 or SPACE Act, alongside Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX), Congressman Steven Palazzo (R-MS) and 10 additional cosponsors. The bill represents substantial and necessary updates to the Commercial Space Launch Act, which gives guidance to the growing commercial space industry.

“The American spirit is, by its very nature, a pioneering one. From the development of the west to being the first to put a man on the moon, no frontier has been too intimidating for American ingenuity," said Leader McCarthy. "In today’s quest for understanding the final frontier, the commercial spaceflight industry is helping to lead the way. This legislation ensures that commercial spaceflight can continue to innovate, all the while generating high-quality American manufacturing jobs and leading the world into the next generation of spaceflight. Since I first came to Congress, I have watched the innovative minds in eastern Kern County grow this industry from the ground up by making investments in the future. Without this legislation, the industry may face myriad regulatory hurdles that threaten to stymie American exceptionalism in space exploration. Commercial space represents all that is great with America and I am proud to introduce legislation to strengthen it.”
 
“American space companies are vital to maintaining American space leadership. These companies provide space access for our technology economy and are working to take U.S. astronauts into space," said Science Committee Chairman Smith. "Premature or overly burdensome regulations could have a crippling effect on the commercial space community. By extending the learning period, our bills ensure any future regulatory efforts are suited to the needs of this still-growing American space industry without stifling innovation or stunting growth. We must provide our commercial space partners with the support they need to operate safely and successfully.”
 
“This bill will help ensure American leadership in space by fostering a strong and vibrant commercial space industry. By promoting stability and flexibility in the commercial space market, the SPACE Act will nurture private enterprise and promote industry growth," said Space Subcommittee chair Palazzo. "Our commercial space partners are a national asset and will continue to help us achieve our goal of once again launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil.”

The Committee passed three other commercial space bills Wednesday, including:
 
H.R. 2261, the “Commercial Remote Sensing Act of 2015” introduced by Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK)
 
H.R. 2263, the “Office of Space Commerce Act” introduced by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)
 
H.R. 1508, the “Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act of 2015” introduced by Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) and Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA)

FMI: Bill Information