Blakey: A Completed NASA Bill Is "Absolutely Critical" To The U.S. Space Industry

In a statement released Thursday, AIA said it is "extremely pleased" that the Senate Commerce Committee and the House Science and Technology Committee have completed work on their respective versions of the NASA authorization bill. In the association's view, these bills are a critical first step towards ensuring the continuation of a robust human spaceflight program.

"The uncertainty over NASA's future has led to job losses in the private sector as contractors react to mixed signals on the direction programs will take," said AIA President & CEO Marion C. Blakey. "In many cases the loss of talent is irreversible as laid-off workers move into other, more stable fields. Because many companies will be making staffing decisions for fiscal 2011 in the next month, a quickly-completed NASA authorization bill is absolutely critical for the health and future vitality of the U.S. space industry. We strongly urge Congress to complete passage of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 before the end of the legislative session."

AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey

The Aerospace Industries Association, which was founded in 1919, represents the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems, space systems, aircraft engines, homeland and cybersecurity systems, materiel, related components, equipment services and information technology.

FMI: www.aia-aerospace.org