[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1052 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1052

   Affirming United States-Australia cooperation on space research, 
                     exploration, and utilization.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 6, 2018

 Mr. Castro of Texas (for himself, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Courtney, and Mr. 
 Gallagher) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Affirming United States-Australia cooperation on space research, 
                     exploration, and utilization.

Whereas the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Australia are 
        treaty allies;
Whereas United States and Australia defense cooperation extends back 100 years, 
        to the Battle of Hamel in World War I;
Whereas the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty, also referred 
        to as the ANZUS Treaty, has formed the framework of the United States-
        Australia alliance since 1951;
Whereas the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultation, also referred to 
        as AUSMIN, has contributed to a deeper partnership between the two 
        nations;
Whereas the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) notes that, 
        ``The United States and Australia have been cooperating in civil space 
        for more than 50 years'';
Whereas the United States Apollo missions and subsequent space science and 
        exploration conducted by the United States benefitted greatly from the 
        partnership with our Australian allies;
Whereas Neil Armstrong's first steps on the surface of the Moon were relayed to 
        Houston through the Honeysuckle Creek site in Australia;
Whereas NASA also notes that, ``The Canberra complex is an integral component of 
        NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN), the world's largest and most sensitive 
        scientific telecommunications system'';
Whereas the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) is one of NASA's 
        largest tracking and communication facilities outside the United States;
Whereas, on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, Australian Ambassador to the United 
        States Joe Hockey and Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot signed 
        a 25-year agreement for continued cooperation on space cooperation, 
        including on space tracking;
Whereas the United States and Australian governments have jointly committed to 
        expanding Space Situational Awareness (SSA);
Whereas United States-Australia cooperation on SSA is critical to maximize 
        defense capabilities, monitoring environmental changes, avoiding space 
        congestion and collisions, and protecting against exploitation from the 
        growing counter-space capabilities of our adversaries;
Whereas, on September 24, 2017, the Government of Australia under Prime Minister 
        Malcolm Turnbull committed to creating the Australian Space Agency, with 
        operations beginning on July 1, 2018; and
Whereas the Australian Space Agency commenced operations on July 1, 2018: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the Australian Government in constituting the 
        Australian Space Agency;
            (2) recognizes the value in United States-Australia 
        cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilization, 
        including on terrestrial research, commercial activities, and 
        human and robotic space exploration;
            (3) supports international cooperation on space research, 
        exploration, and utilization and other forms of space diplomacy 
        as being in the national interest of the United States;
            (4) encourages the Department of State to support and 
        facilitate international cooperation with Australia on space 
        research, exploration, and utilization through diplomatic 
        efforts, including through the Australia-United States 
        Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) forum and multilateral 
        initiatives with Japan, Canada, the European Union, and other 
        partners of both the United States and Australia; and
            (5) supports deeper cooperation with our Australian allies 
        in contributing each country's unique strengths and resources 
        to mutual prosperity and security.
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