[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 157 (Sunday, November 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12222-S12223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      COMMERCIAL SPACE ACT OF 1997

  Mr. GRAHAM. I rise today to speak in support of legislation which 
Senator Mack and I filed last night, legislation that will bolster one 
of the most important components of our Nation's high-technology 
economic future, the space industry.
  For more than 40 years, my home State of Florida has been pleased, 
proud, and gratified to have been the launching pad for our Nation's 
exciting adventure in space. Our friend and colleague, Senator John 
Glenn's historic Friendship 7 mission was launched from Cape Canaveral. 
So were Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, and Michael Collins on their way 
to the first manned Moon landing.
  For the last 16 years, the world has watched intently as dozens of 
space shuttle missions have started at the Kennedy Space Center.
  But as we prepare for the increasingly high-technology, dynamic world 
of the 21st century, space will be more than just a place of 
exploration. In the 4 decades since the Soviet Union launched sputnik 
in October 1957, space has become a site for tremendous scientific 
innovation. Ball-point pens, velcro, and numerous other consumer 
products that make our lives easier are a direct result of the space 
program.
  Medical research has also reaped tremendous benefits from our time in 
space. And satellite technology has led to revolutionary advances in 
the way we forecast weather, protect the environment, and communicate 
with each other.
  Space may also revolutionize the way we transport goods and services 
and pursue other economic and business opportunities. In recognition of 
these advances, Senator Connie Mack and I are introducing the 
Commercial Space Act of 1997.
  Cape Canaveral is also home to the Florida Spaceport Authority, which 
is set to launch its first commercial payload from Launch Complex 46 in 
January 1998. This will be a milestone event in our State's history, 
and the bill that I am introducing today aims to modernize the laws 
that govern the United States' emerging commercial space industry.
  It is urgent that we develop a clear Federal policy for this 
important enterprise. For much of the last 40 years, our Nation's 
experiment in space has been in the exclusive domain of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA].
  The legislation I am offering today recognizes that space is now a 
public

[[Page S12223]]

and private sector place and enterprise. It aims to create a stable 
business environment for an industry that employs thousands of 
Americans and generates billions of dollars in economic activity each 
year.
  Our bill pursues this goal in several important ways.
  First, it will reduce the bureaucracy and redtape that plagues our 
regulation of the commercial space industry. Currently, the oversight 
of space-related businesses is scattered among multiple federal 
agencies, and burdens businesses with complex, confusing, and often 
conflicting rules. It is not an environment that encourages progress 
and innovation.
  This bill takes the first step toward clarity by requiring each 
relevant federal agency to clearly state its requirements for 
commercial space licensing. That requirement will help space businesses 
in their efforts to raise capital, develop a consistent business plan, 
and create new job opportunities within the commercial space industry.
  Second, our bill encourages federal agencies to act in a more 
efficient manner by increasing the private sector's involvement in 
servicing and launching space hardware, in addition to their current 
role in building rockets and satellites. This will bolster the 
expansion of the commercial space industry, while at the same time 
reducing Government costs and saving tax dollars.
  For example, this legislation would call for NASA to look at the role 
the private sector may play in operating, maintaining, and supplying 
the international space station. It would also encourage the conversion 
of old ballistic missiles into launch vehicles, a use that will reduce 
storage costs and provide for less expensive commercial space launches.
  Finally, it is imperative that we update existing Federal law to 
reflect the rapid pace of technological change. Mr. President, we 
cannot hope to prepare for the high-tech 21st century if the Federal 
Government maintains a 20th century mentality. Our laws should be 
flexible enough to adapt to a world in which new science and technology 
is created every minute.
  These goals will be difficult to achieve, however, if we do not 
recognize the role of State and local governments in reducing space 
costs. This is especially relevant to Florida, I am hopeful that our 
legislation will spur a robust and energized commercial space industry. 
Within 8 years, the number of launches in Florida are expected to 
double. But this potential growth can only be achieved if there exists 
a productive working relationship among all entities involved in the 
commercial space industry, including state and local governments.
  Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to tell you exactly what 
this legislation will accomplish:
  This bill will require NASA to submit a report that identifies and 
examines the prospects for commercial development, augmentation, or 
servicing of the international space station by the private sector. 
Private sector involvement in the commercial space industry is likely 
to reduce the costs of operating, maintaining and supplying the space 
station and will allow State governments to act as potential brokers in 
reducing space station costs.
  We amend the Commercial Space Launch Act and to give the Federal 
Government the authority to license commercial space reentry 
activities. This is an essential portion of the bill. Without this 
legal authorization, commercial reusable launch vehicles will not be 
allowed to re-enter the atmosphere, a restriction that would stymie the 
realization of important technological developments and investments by 
the commercial space industry.
  This bill reaffirms our Nation's plans to make the Global Positioning 
System [GPS] a world standard. GPS is a space-based system that 
individuals can use to determine their precise position on Earth. 
Although it began as a military/defense system, the GPS applications 
have expanded to other sectors. In addition, foreign governments are 
interested in entering this lucrative global market. Therefore, in an 
effort to protect our economic interests and our national security, it 
is imperative that the we encourage our President to enter into 
regional agreements with foreign governments to secure U.S. GPS as the 
unquestioned global standard.
  The legislation further requires the Federal Government to purchase 
both space hardware and transportation services from the private 
sector. This will encourage innovation within the commercial space 
industry, while simultaneously promoting greater cost efficiency and 
protecting our national security.
  This legislation allows the conversion of excess ICBM's into space 
transportation vehicles. These missiles cannot be used for defense 
purposes due to the START treaty. The conversion of these missiles 
could save taxpayer dollars by eliminating storage costs and providing 
cost effective launches for small scientific and educational payloads.
  Mr. President, I was extremely pleased when the House passed its 
version of this legislation earlier this week. It is my understanding 
that this legislation will be a priority for the Senate Commerce 
Committee when Congress returns from recess in 1998.
  I look forward to working with Chairman McCain, subcommittee Chairman 
Frist, my colleague, Senator Mack, and other members of the committee 
and the Clinton administration, to enact this important commercial 
space legislation.
  Mr. GREGG addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire.

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