[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 136 (Friday, July 31, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021

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                               speech of

                         HON. ALAN S. LOWENTHAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2020

  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer this amendment, 
which specifies that $30 million dollars already provided within NASA's 
Science Mission Directorate should be set aside for NASA to procure 
dedicated small launch services for its small satellite missions.
  This amendment builds off report language included in the FY21 
Commerce, Justice, Science bill that directs NASA to work with industry 
to procure tailored launch services for small satellite science 
missions. It does not increase spending or transfer money from other 
line items.
  I would like to thank my colleagues, Rep. Steven Palazzo and Darren 
Soto, for their leadership and support on this amendment.
  Small satellites are playing a big role in our country's space 
efforts. They are low-cost, easy to produce, and capably achieve a 
range of missions--including climate and weather monitoring and 
communications links that connect the world. They support our nation's 
soldiers in theater, provide hands-on research and learning 
opportunities for students across the country, and augment our deep 
space exploration. To support these satellite missions, a market has 
developed where companies building and operating small rockets to 
provide what is called ``dedicated launch''--taking these satellites 
where they need to be, when they need to be there.
  Long Beach, California, in my district, is home to several of these 
small launch companies. Together, they employ over a thousand 
individuals in high-skill, high-wage jobs. They are the future of our 
industrial ingenuity, technological leadership, and inspiration for the 
next generation to pursue STEM and aerospace careers.
  Dedicated small launch will maximize NASA's returns on small 
satellite science missions by lowering costs, increasing launch 
opportunities, and taking these satellites exactly where they need to 
be. I am pleased to offer and support this amendment, which will build 
off the momentum the Appropriations Committee has established to enable 
greater science, research, and education using small satellites and 
small launch.
  I urge my colleagues to also support this amendment, and our 
country's continued leadership in aerospace.

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