WASHINGTON - The U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee today announced growing support for the NASA Authorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 5503). The committee approved the legislation Tuesday by a bipartisan vote of 26-7. Keep reading to see what they’re saying.
“NASA programs supporting civil, commercial and national security applications are at the center of American achievement and innovation and support tens of thousands of high-paying jobs in the space industrial base. The NASA authorization bill demonstrates Congress’ continued commitment to U.S. leadership and superiority in space through FY19.” – Aerospace Industries Association
“The American Society for Gravitational and Space Research is writing in support of the proposed NASA re-authorization for FY18 and FY19. We are particularly supportive of statements in the bill that express support for microgravity research in the context of the International Space Station (ISS) mission Section 202 (a)(2).” – Cynthia Martin-Brennan, executive director; Anna-Lisa Paul, president, American Society for Gravitational and Space Research
“AURA is pleased to see that the Search for Life elsewhere in the Universe continues to be supported by the Committee as a NASA goal…As you are no doubt aware, AURA priorities continue to be: robust support for the James Webb Space Telescope, especially for its operational phase after launch when the real science gets done; and successful completion of WFIRST with a coronagraph, crucial for detecting bio-signatures on planets around other stars…We are happy to work with the Committee to ensure that NASA’s search for life elsewhere is successful, and that NASA’s astrophysics missions continue to create world-class science for the United States.” – Matt Mountain, president, Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
“It is only fitting that this Authorization bill reasserts the need for NASA to support U.S. lunar lander capabilities as we approach the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 in FY 2019. Thank you for your leadership and support in this bill for NASA, industry and the science communities’ efforts to restore American access to the lunar surface as quickly as possible.” – John Thornton, CEO, Astrobotic
“The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership supports the efforts of Congressman Babin to further America’s human spaceflight program through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2018. The Congressman has recognized the roles of the International Space Station in the development of NASA’s deep space exploration program and in the development of commercial space. We support the continued NASA operation of the International Space Station beyond 2024 allowing for the sensible transition of operation to commercial entities, based on the development of capabilities by commercial operators. This approach to the utilization of the International Space Station will ensure America’s continued leadership and presence in space.” – Bob Mitchell, president, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
“The bill reaffirms support and full funding for the Space Launch System and NASA’s human exploration program, authorizes the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway to support crewed missions in deep space, supports continued development and operation of a safe and reliable Commercial Crew capability and reasserts support for the International Space Station, which is one of our Nation’s most important research assets. It also supports a healthy aeronautics research directorate that contributes to our nation’s aerospace economy.” – Tim Keating, executive vice president, Boeing
“We appreciate the Committee’s continued support and strong funding for the Commercial Crew and Commercial Cargo programs, recognizing their critical importance to continued ISS operations and, indeed, America’s human spaceflight program. CSF Members also support the Committee’s work regarding commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) activities, and critical path redundancy for operations beyond LEO, and public-private partnerships for lunar surface operations…We support the Committee’s authorization of full funding for the Administration’s proposal for increased commercial operations in LEO. The legislation recognizes the need for a national policy and strategy for microgravity research, the continuation of a National Laboratory during and beyond an ISS transition, the purchase of commercial supply of space products for space exploration missions, and support for Flight Opportunities program.” – Eric W. Stallmer, president, Commercial Spaceflight Federation
“On behalf of Lockheed Martin, I would like to thank you and your staffs for your efforts on the NASA Authorization Act of 2018. Your work with stakeholders to make improvements through a Manager’s Amendment aligns the bill with the Committee’s commitment to our nation’s deep space exploration and human spaceflight programs. This effort is much appreciated…We further appreciate the bill’s reaffirmation of support and full funding for Orion, NASA’s human exploration program, and the development of a lunar gateway.” – Robert Rangel, senior vice president, Lockheed Martin
“As the world’s leading space-based manufacturer, Made In Space is a major user of the International Space Station (ISS) and its National Laboratory (NL). As such, we believe it is critically important that Congress develop and implement a plan to maximize the use and commercialization of the ISS and its NL, as well as a transition plan that ensures a seamless transfer of capabilities, including the NL, as the ISS reaches the end of its life. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2018 helps accomplish these important goals, and Made In Space supports the bill.” – Andrew Rush, CEO, Made in Space
“We greatly appreciate the committee authorizing full funding for the two new lunar exploration programs proposed in NASA’s 2019 Budget, the Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program within NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and the Advanced Cislunar and Surface Capabilities program within NASA’s Advanced Exploration Systems program. This combined Lunar Exploration Campaign will ensure that America leads in exploration of our nearest celestial neighbor.” – Robert Richards, founder & CEO, Moon Express
“We are fortunate as a country to have leaders such as you who understand the challenges we face and are willing to act to improve American competitiveness in space. I am particularly pleased with the inclusion in your legislation of the recently proposed Commercial LEO Development program with a focus on enabling, developing and deploying multiple commercial orbital platforms and authorizing $150,000,000 for these purposes in Fiscal Year 2019… Thank you in advance for your consideration of my strong support for the Fiscal Years 2018/2019 NASA reauthorization measure.” – Jeffrey Manber, CEO, NanoRacks
“On behalf of the National Space Grant Alliance, I want to thank the Chairman for including a reauthorization of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program in H.R. 5503, the NASA Reauthorization Bill for 2018 and 2019. We would also like to state our support as well for the reauthorization of NASA's Office of Education and the broad programs that are funded through that office.” – John B. Kosmatka, chair, National Space Grant Alliance
“The Planetary Society is pleased to see the House Science Committee advance H.R. 5503 as amended, and is particularly supportive of its recommendation for a critical funding increase to planetary science while maintaining overall balance in the science mission directorate and NASA writ large…The Planetary Science Division is in a period of rebuilding, and the $2.6 billion authorization would be a critical step in maintaining U.S. leadership in space science and exploration in the next decade…We commend the committee for working in a bipartisan manner during the markup process to support all of space science and exploration at NASA, and its efforts to forge a consensus path forward for the nation’s space program.” – Casey Dreier, director of space policy, The Planetary Society
“Space Florida applauds the work that the House Science, Space, & Technology Committee put into developing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2018…Space Florida is glad to see the House taking a strong leadership approach to providing direction to NASA.” – Frank A. DiBello, president & CEO, Space Florida
“Thank you for your leadership in bringing H.R. 5503, the NASA Reauthorization Bill for 2018 and 2019, before the full committee for deliberation. The bill’s record high authorization numbers in critical areas such as science, aeronautics, and human exploration are a testament to the committee’s desire to keep our nation at the forefront of technology and innovation for the future…Texas A&M is also a Space Grant College, and we are committed to training the next generation of students for careers in the growing aerospace field. We appreciate that the committee funds the NASA Education account at $100 million and includes full funding for the Space Grant program.” – John Sharp, chancellor, Texas A&M University System
“On behalf of Vector Launch, part of emerging multi-billion-dollar commercial space industry, we very much support the NASA Authorization bill that, among other innovative initiatives, strongly encourages NASA to rely on commercial services & products in order to reduce the bill for the American taxpayer, refocus on its core R&D capabilities while advancing America’s leadership in space.” – Vector Launch
“I write to thank you for the inclusion of language in your Manager’s Amendment to continue authorization of the 21st Century Launch Complex program, which provides vital infrastructure support for NASA’s launch complexes and ranges that support cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station (ISS), including at Wallops Flight Facility. We appreciate the work you and your staff have done to help support this reauthorization and it will ensure that NASA’s launch ranges are prepared to meet the growing demands of our space program in the years ahead.” – Dale K. Nash, executive director & CEO, Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority
Letters of Support for the NASA Authorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 5503) can be found here:
Aerospace Industries Association
American Society for Gravitational and Space Research
Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
Commercial Spaceflight Federation
The Texas A&M University System
Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority