[House Report 109-158]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
109th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 109-158
======================================================================
GEORGE E. BROWN, JR. NEAR-EARTH OBJECT SURVEY ACT
_______
June 27, 2005.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Boehlert, from the Committee on Science, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1022]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Science, to whom was referred the bill (H.R.
1022) to provide for a Near-Earth Object Survey program to
detect, track, catalogue, and characterize certain near-earth
asteroids and comets, having considered the same, report
favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill
do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
I. Purpose of the Bill.............................................2
II. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................2
III. Summary of Hearings.............................................2
IV. Committee Actions...............................................4
V. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................4
VI. Section-By-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)..............4
VII. Committee Views.................................................5
VIII. Cost Estimate...................................................5
IX. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................6
X. Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)............6
XI. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations................7
XII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives...........7
XIII. Constitutional Authority Statement..............................7
XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement............................7
XV. Congressional Accountability Act................................7
XVI. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law..........7
XVII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported...........7
XVIII.Committee Recommendations.......................................8
XIX. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup............................9
I. Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of the bill is to authorize the Administrator
of the National Space and Aeronautics Administration (NASA) to
establish a Near-Earth Object Survey Program to detect, track,
catalogue, and characterize certain near-Earth asteroids and
comets.
II. Background and Need for the Legislation
Near-Earth objects pose a serious and credible threat.
Recent press accounts of asteroids passing close to the Earth
have raised public awareness of the possibility that a near-
Earth object could one day hit the Earth with potentially
catastrophic consequences. The monitoring and tracking of near-
Earth objects will provide advanced warning of potential
threats to the Earth, as well as promote advances in the field
of astronomy.
III. Summary of Hearings
On October 3, 2002, the Subcommittee on Space and
Aeronautics held a hearing to examine the status of nearby and
potentially hazardous asteroids and comets known as near-Earth
objects (``NEOs''). Witnesses included: Dr. Edward Weiler, NASA
Associate Administrator for Space Science; Dr. David Morrison,
Senior Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center; Brigadier General
Simon ``Pete'' Worden, U.S. Air Force; Dr. Brian Marsden,
Director, Minor Planet Center, Smithsonian Astrophysical
Observatory; and Dr. Joseph Burns, Irving Porter Church
Professor of Engineering and Astronomy, Cornell University.
The hearing addressed the risks posed by NEOs, the status
of the current U.S. survey effort for NEOs, recommendations for
extending current survey goals to include smaller, more
numerous objects, and the challenges of data management. The
hearing also examined NASA's current goal of identifying and
tracking 90 percent of near-Earth asteroids larger than one
kilometer in size by 2008. In addition, the hearing explored
the question of next steps beyond this survey goal, including
the costs, benefits, and technical challenges of extending the
survey to include smaller, yet still potentially very
hazardous, objects. Agency roles and interagency cooperation in
the NEO survey effort were discussed, as well. Finally, the
hearing addressed the role of amateur astronomers in this
effort.
Dr. Morrison testified on the threat of collisions with
asteroids and comets. He stated that the greatest risk today is
not from objects large enough to cause global extinctions (such
as is believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs),
but rather from objects large enough to perturb the Earth's
climate on a global scale by injecting large quantities of dust
into the stratosphere. Objects of about one kilometer in size
pose such a threat and are thus the target of the current
survey for NEOs. He stated that the next logical goal is to
search for objects that could kill millions of people upon
impact. Objects 200-300 meters in diameter, for example, pose
the greatest tsunami danger. Dr. Morrison emphasized that the
goal of the current survey is not to find objects on their
final plunge toward Earth, but rather to identify objects in
nearby orbits for future monitoring.
Dr. Ed Weiler testified about progress of NASA's current
ground-based survey for NEOs, given the current goal of
identifying 90 percent of near-Earth asteroids larger than one
kilometer in size by 2008. Dr. Weiler stated that there are
estimated to be about 1,000 such asteroids, and that the six
groups currently funded by NASA for such research have together
discovered over 600 objects and are ahead of the predicted
schedule. Thus, it is likely that the 2008 goal will be
reached. As for extending the survey goal to comprehensively
include objects smaller than one kilometer in size, Dr. Weiler
felt that to pursue such a goal would be premature. Dr. Weiler
stated that if such an extended survey effort were conducted
from the ground, then NASA should not play a part in the survey
effort because NASA is primarily an agency for space-based
missions. He stated that NASA's role is better suited for
detailed study of particular asteroids and comets, such as the
NEAR-Shoemaker mission and the upcoming DAWN, Deep Impact, and
Stardust missions. He also stated that new technology from the
Nuclear Systems Initiative and the In-Space Propulsion
Initiative should benefit future missions for detailed studies
of asteroids and comets.
Dr. Joseph Burns testified on the recommendations regarding
NEOs from the recent National Research Council report entitled
``New Frontiers in the Solar System.'' One of the primary
recommendations in the report calls for NASA and the National
Science Foundation to contribute equally to the construction
and operation of a Large-aperture Synoptic Survey Telescope
(LSST), a 6.5-meter-effective-diameter, very wide field
telescope that could produce a digital map of the visible sky
every week. Dr. Burns stated that the LSST could locate 90
percent of all NEOs down to 300 meters in size, enable
computations of their orbits, and permit assessment of their
threat to Earth. Dr. Burns testified that NASA should continue
to be involved in ground-based NEO surveys even if the survey
goals were extended, because of NASA's experience with ground-
based telescopes.
Dr. Brian Marsden testified on the management of the data
reported daily to the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian
Astrophysical Observatory regarding asteroids and comets. NEOs
comprise less than one percent of the observations of
asteroids. Dr. Marsden testified that the Minor Planet Center
collects reports from around the world regarding detections of
NEOs, other asteroids, and comets, and publishes confirmed
detections electronically in the Minor Planet Electronic
Circular. Dr. Marsden stated that augmentation of the Minor
Planet Center staff is essential if the number of asteroid
discoveries continues to increase, as would be expected with an
extension of the NEO survey goals to include objects of smaller
sizes. Dr. Marsden testified that most follow-up tracking
observations of NEOs are made by amateur astronomers. He stated
that amateurs also need ready access to electronic equipment to
make their work possible. Dr. Marsden testified that attention
should also be given to long-period comets, which could pose an
even greater risk than asteroids because they are less
predictable.
Brig. General Worden testified that the U.S. military is
developing sensitive surveillance technologies that could serve
in a ``dual-use'' capacity by contributing to the detection of
NEOs. Such technology would augment the current efforts of U.S.
military telescopes used by NASA in NEO projects such as
LINEAR. Gen. Worden stated that while developing mitigation
strategies should be a high priority, the ``command and
control'' structure is even more important, providing timely
coordination of mitigation plans. Gen. Worden stated that the
U.S. military could serve in such a coordination role. Gen.
Worden testified that asteroids explode in the atmosphere
roughly once a month (as detected by military surveillance
equipment), and that such explosions could be mistaken for a
nuclear detonation, sparking an unwarranted international
response. He recommended a ``clearinghouse'' structure for
quick worldwide notification when the U.S. military detects
such an asteroid impact in the atmosphere.
IV. Committee Actions
On June 9, 2004, Rep. Rohrabacher introduced H.R. 4544, the
George E. Brown Near-Earth Object Survey Act, a bill to provide
for a NEO Survey program to detect, track, catalogue, and
characterize certain near-Earth asteroids and comets. The bill
was referred to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. No
further action was taken on the bill during the 108th Congress.
On March 1, 2005, Rep. Rohrabacher introduced H.R. 1022, a
bill with the same short title and stated purposes as H.R.
4544. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Space and
Aeronautics. On May 16, 2005, the Subcommittee on Space and
Aeronautics discharged the bill. On May 17, 2005, the Committee
on Science considered H.R. 1022. The motion to adopt the bill
without amendment was agreed to by voice vote. Ranking Member
Gordon moved that the Committee favorably report the bill, H.R.
1022, to the House with the recommendation that the bill as
amended do pass and that staff be instructed to make technical
and conforming changes to the bill as amended and prepare the
legislative report and that the Chairman take all necessary
steps to bring the bill before the House for consideration.
With a quorum vote present, the motion was agreed to by a voice
vote.
V. Summary of Major Provisions of the Amendment
The bill directs the Administrator of NASA to plan,
develop, and implement a Near-Earth Object Survey program to
detect, track, catalogue, and characterize the physical
characteristics of near-Earth asteroids and comets equal to or
greater than 100 meters in diameter in order to assess the
threat of such near-Earth objects in striking the Earth. The
bill amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to
include a Congressional declaration that the general welfare
and security of the United States require that the unique
competence of NASA in science and engineering systems be
directed to detecting, tracking, cataloguing, and
characterizing near-Earth asteroids and comets in order to
provide warning and mitigation of the potential hazard of such
near-Earth objects impacting the Earth. The bill authorizes to
be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and
2007.
VI. Section-by-Section Analysis
Sec. 1. Short Title. George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object
Survey Act.
Sec. 2. Findings. NEOs pose a serious and credible threat
to mankind. The efforts taken to date by NASA for detecting and
characterizing the hazards of NEOs are not sufficient to the
threat posed by such objects, which can cause widespread
destruction and loss of life.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Near-Earth Object Survey. Directs the Administrator
of NASA to establish a NEO Survey program to detect, track,
catalogue, and characterize the physical characteristics of
NEOs equal to or greater than 100 meters in diameter in order
to assess the threat of such NEOs to the Earth. Amends the
National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to include a
Congressional declaration that the general welfare and security
of the United States require that the unique competence of NASA
in science and engineering systems be directed to detecting,
tracking, cataloguing, and characterizing NEOs in order to
provide warning and mitigation of the potential hazard of such
NEOs to the Earth. Requires the Administrator to submit each
year for the next five years a report summarizing the
activities the Administrator takes with regard to the NEO
Survey program and a summary of expenditures, and a plan and
budget request for the program. Authorizes $20,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2006 and 2007.
VII. Committee Views
NASA's current NEO survey effort focuses on identifying and
tracking near-Earth asteroids larger than one kilometer in
size. However, it appears that a credible threat is posed by
NEOs of a smaller size. The Committee believes that NASA must
begin to track asteroids and comets equal to or greater than
100 meters in diameter that pose a threat to the Earth. The
goal of the NEO Survey program is not to find objects on their
final plunge toward Earth, but rather to identify objects in
nearby orbits for on-going monitoring.
The Committee believes that the term ``near-Earth object''
should mean an asteroid or comet with a perihelion distance of
less than 1.3 Astronomical Units from the Sun.
The Committee believes that it should be the goal of the
NEO Survey program to achieve 90 percent completion of its NEO
catalogue (based on statistically predicted populations of
NEOs) within 15 years of the date of enactment of this Act.
The Committee expects the Administrator to transmit to the
Congress within 180 days of the date of enactment of this Act,
an initial report that provides the following: (a) an analysis
of possible alternatives that the agency may employ to carry
out the Survey program, including ground-based and space-based
alternatives; and (b) a recommended option; and (c) a proposed
budget to carry out the Survey program pursuant to the
recommended option.
VIII. Cost Estimate
A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted to
the Committee on Science prior to the filing of this report and
is included in Section X of this report pursuant to House Rule
XIII, clause 3(c)(3).
H.R. 1022 does not contain new budget authority, credit
authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming
that the sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R.
1022 authorizes additional discretionary spending, as described
in the Congressional Budget Office report on the bill, which is
contained in Section X of this report.
IX. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
H.R. 1022--George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act
Summary: H.R. 1022 would authorize the appropriation of $20
million for each of years 2006 and 2007 for the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish a
Near-Earth Object Survey program to detect and track asteroids
and comets of 100 meters or greater in diameter that are close
to Earth. In addition, the bill would require NASA to summarize
the program's activities and to submit a report to the Congress
annually over the first five years of the program.
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO
estimates that implementing this bill would cost $40 million
over the 2006-2010 period. Enacting H.R. 1022 would have no
effect on direct spending or revenues.
H.R. 1022 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary impact of H.R. 1022 is shown in the following table.
For this estimate, CBO assumes that the amounts authorized will
be appropriated near the beginning of each fiscal year and that
outlays will follow historical patterns for such activities.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 250
(general science, space, and technology).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
--------------------------------------------
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Authorization Level................................................ 20 20 0 0 0
Estimated Outlays.................................................. 10 19 9 1 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1022
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined by UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state,
local, or tribal governments.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Mike Waters. Impact on
State, Local, and Tribal governments: Lisa Ramirez-Branum.
Impact on the Private Sector: Craig Cammarata.
Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
X. Compliance With Public Law 104-4
H.R. 1022 contains no unfunded mandates.
XI. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
The Committee on Science's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
XII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c) of House rule XIII, the goals of
H.R. 1022 are to establish a NEO Survey program to detect,
track, catalogue, and characterize the physical characteristics
of NEOs equal to or greater than 100 meters in diameter in
order to assess the threat of such NEOs to the Earth.
XIII. Constitutional Authority Statement
Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United
States grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 1022.
XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement
H.R. 1022 does not establish or authorize the establishment
of any advisory committee.
XV. Congressional Accountability Act
The Committee finds that H.R. 1022 does not relate to the
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).
XVI. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law
This legislation is not intended to preempt any state,
local, or tribal law.
XVII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
SECTION 102 OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ACT OF 1958
DECLARATION OF POLICY AND PURPOSE
Sec. 102. (a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(g) The Congress declares that the general welfare and
security of the United States require that the unique
competence of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
in science and engineering systems be directed to detecting,
tracking, cataloging, and characterizing near-Earth asteroids
and comets in order to provide warning and mitigation of the
potential hazard of such near-Earth objects impacting the
Earth.
[(g)] (h) It is the purpose of this Act to carry out and
effectuate the policies declared in subsections (a), (b), (c),
(d), (e), [and (f)] (f), and (g).
XVIII. Committee Recommendations
On May 17, 2005, a quorum being present, the Committee on
Science favorably reported H.R. 1022, the George E. Brown, Jr.
Near-Earth Object Survey Act, by a voice vote, and recommended
its enactment.
XIX. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP ON H.R. 1022, GEORGE E.
BROWN, JR. NEAR-EARTH OBJECT SURVEY ACT
----------
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2005
House of Representatives,
Committee on Science,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:08 a.m., in Room
2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Sherwood L.
Boehlert [Chairman of the Committee] presiding.
Chairman Boehlert. I want to welcome everyone here today
for this markup of bills concerning the heavens and the Earth
and to the agencies that explore them, NOAA and NASA.
Now let me just say this before I give you the rest of this
wonderful statement.
The Committee on Science will come to order. Pursuant to
notice, the Committee on Science meets to consider the
following measures: H.R. 50, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Act; H.R. 2363, To establish a Science and
Technology Scholarship Program to award scholarships to recruit
and prepare students for careers in the National Weather
Service and in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration marine research, atmospheric research, and
satellite programs; H.R. 426, Remote Sensing Applications Act
of 2005, and H.R. 1022, the George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth
Object Survey Act.
I ask unanimous consent for the authority to recess the
Committee at any point during consideration of these matters,
and without objection, it is so ordered.
We will now proceed with the markup beginning with the
opening statements, and I will continue mine.
The main bill before us today is the NOAA Organic Act
introduced by Dr. Ehlers, which we had initially planned to
markup last week. This bill will give NOAA a firm legislative
grounding, something that was called for by the Ocean
Commission, among others. The Administration has also called
for an Organic Act for NOAA.
But our bill will do more than merely found NOAA into law.
It will raise the profile of science at NOAA and improve its
management. The bill also will greatly improve oversight of the
agency by ensuring that Congress and the public get the
information needed to evaluate NOAA's organizational structure,
facilities plans, budgeting, and satellite programs. This is a
solid bill that will strengthen the agency.
And now we look forward to working with the Resources
Committee, which shares jurisdiction over portions of NOAA, to
get this bill to the Floor. Also related to NOAA, we will take
up Congressman Rohrabacher's bill to create a Scholarship for
Service Program at NOAA. And he is a real leader on that
effort, and we applaud that. We have done the same thing with
NASA and the Department of Energy. Service scholarships are a
great way to entice students into science, math, and
engineering while also helping the Federal Government develop
the workforce it will need. These scholarships have been
championed tirelessly by Congressman Rohrabacher, and I
congratulate him for that.
We are running the scholarship program through as a
separate bill, because specific program authorizations
generally are not part of agency Organic Acts. We will also
take up two bills related to space today. These were last-
minute additions to today's roster, which is something we have
generally avoided on this committee. But this seemed like an
opportune time to move these bills, and we continue to work on
them through manager's amendments on the Floor.
Mr. Udall's bill, which the Committee also passed last
Congress, concerns remote sensing. Mr. Udall will offer an
amendment that will take care of concerns raised by companies
in the remote sensing data business, concerns that have stymied
progress on this bill in the past. I know that Mr. Bonner and
I, perhaps some others, have some further ideas for perfecting
the bill, and we will work on those as the bill moves forward.
Mr. Rohrabacher's bill focuses on near-Earth objects, a
subject that has long concerned him and has gotten quite a bit
of publicity lately. Congressman Rohrabacher has helped us all
understand that asteroids may present a real threat to Earth
and that we need to pay greater attention to them. All of these
bills will improve our lives through increasing our
understanding of the Earth, how it works, and what may threaten
it.
As usual, these bills represent a bipartisan effort, and I
take pride in that. I look forward to their passage.
The Chair recognizes Mr. Gordon.
Mr. Gordon.
[The prepared statement of Chairman Boehlert follows:]
Prepared Statement of Chairman Sherwood L. Boehlert
I want to welcome everyone here today for this markup of bills
concerning the heavens and the Earth--and to the agencies that explore
them, NOAA and NASA.
The main bill before us today is the NOAA Organic Act, introduced
by Dr. Ehlers, which we had initially planned to mark up last week.
This bill will give NOAA a firm legislative grounding, something that
was called for by the Ocean Commission among others. The Administration
has also called for an Organic Act for NOAA.
But our bill will do more than merely found NOAA in law. It will
raise the profile of science at NOAA and improve its management. The
bill also will greatly improve oversight of the agency by ensuring that
Congress--and the public--get the information needed to evaluate NOAA's
organizational structure, facilities plans, budgeting and satellite
programs. This is a solid bill that will strengthen the agency.
And now we look forward to working with the Resources Committee,
which shares jurisdiction over portions of NOAA, to get this bill to
the Floor.
Also related to NOAA, we will take up Congressman Rohrabacher's
bill to create a scholarship for service program at NOAA, as we have at
NASA and the Department of Energy. Service scholarships are a great way
to entice students into science, math and engineering while also
helping the Federal Government develop the workforce it will need.
These scholarships have been championed tirelessly by Congressman
Rohrabacher, and I congratulate him for that.
We are running the scholarship program through as a separate bill
because specific program authorizations generally are not part of
agency organic acts.
We will also take up two bills related to space today. These were
last minute additions to today's roster, which is something we have
generally avoided on this committee. But this seemed like an opportune
time to move these bills, and we can continue to work on them through
manager's amendments on the Floor.
Mr. Udall's bill, which the Committee also passed last Congress,
concerns remote sensing. Mr. Udall will offer an amendment that will
take care of concerns raised by companies in the remote sensing data
business--concerns that have stymied progress on this bill in the past.
I know that Mr. Bonner and I and perhaps some others have some further
ideas for ``perfecting'' the bill, and we will work on those as the
bill moves forward.
Mr. Rohrabacher's bill focuses on Near-Earth Objects, a subject
that has long concerned him and that has gotten quite a bit of press
lately. Congressman Rohrabacher has helped us all understand that
asteroids may present a real threat to Earth and that we need to pay
greater attention to them.
All of these bills will improve our lives through increasing our
understanding of the Earth, how it works and what may threaten it. As
usual, these bills represent a bipartisan effort. I look forward to
their passage.
Mr. Gordon.
Mr. Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You have summed up
what we are going to do this morning very well. I just want to
concur that it is a good idea, I think, to take up these
additional three bills today, and I want to give my thanks to
the staff on both sides for the good cooperative work that they
have done over the last week in trying to bring NOAA together
as well as these three bills, and I look forward to the markup.
And I yield my time back.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Gordon follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Bart Gordon
I want to thank the Chairman for scheduling this markup.
Originally we were to just take up H.R. 50 today, but I think it is
to the advantage of our Members that we will expeditiously take up
three other bills, all of which can probably move on suspension on the
Floor.
In addition to the NOAA organic act, I am especially pleased to see
the Remote Sensing Act move through Committee. We have dealt with this
in past Congresses and I am happy the Chairman agrees that we can move
that bill forward today.
I don't want to delay the process here this morning with an
extensive preliminary statement, but let me take a moment to thank
staff on both sides of the aisle for their work to handle these bills.
I think the Members have been well served through their efforts.
With that, I yield back, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Boehlert. Thank you very much.
Without objection, Members may place statements in the
record at this point.
We will now consider H.R. 1022, George E. Brown, Jr. Near-
Earth Object Survey Act.
I recognize Mr. Rohrabacher to introduce the bill.
Mr. Rohrabacher. I would ask permission to submit my
opening statement for the record.
Chairman Boehlert. Without objection.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Rohrabacher follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Dana Rohrabacher
Mr. Chairman, last December, an asteroid 350 yards in diameter
named ``2004 MN4'' was discovered to have an orbit that will take it
less than one-tenth of the distance to the Moon (in the region of our
artificial satellites) in the year 2029.
According to NASA JPL and the Minor Planet Center at the
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, several additional close
encounters are possible in the next decade or two that follow. The
hazard associated with such an asteroid hitting this planet is fairly
well known: it could flatten an area the size of Texas and/or cause
enormous tsunami damage.
The potential catastrophe of an asteroid hitting Earth should no
longer be ignored. We need to know what is out there. Accounts of
asteroids passing close to Earth with almost no prior warning should be
enough to get our attention. The first step is to assess the threat.
Given the vast number of asteroids and comets that inhabit the Earth's
neighborhood, greater efforts for tracking and monitoring these objects
are critical. This bill would direct NASA to expand their current
program to track and detect potential threats and would provide a
funding authorization.
The current program at NASA searches for near-Earth objects with a
diameter greater than 1,000 meters. It is vital to find and track
these, but smaller objects like ``MN4 2004'' can also have a
devastating effect on humankind. My bill directs NASA to extend that
search to include objects with a diameter greater than 100 meters. Any
threat that would wreak havoc on our world should be studied and
prevented if possible. We have the technology, we need the direction--
this bill provides that.
Ironically, if we look at asteroids from the perspective of our
national goals in space, they also offer us not just a threat but also
unique opportunities. In terms of pure science, asteroids are
geological time capsules from the era when our solar system was formed.
Even better, they are orbiting mines of metals, of minerals, and other
resources that can be possibly used to build large structures in space
without having to carry up the material to build those structures from
Earth. So far, NASA has surveyed approximately 650 asteroids, but this
is a fraction of the projected total population of asteroids and near-
Earth objects. What needs to be done now is to fully understand near-
Earth objects and both the potential threat they could pose to the
world and the potential good they could bring for the world.
In closing, asteroids deserve a lot more attention from the
scientific community and from the American people. One of the first
steps is through tracking all sizable near-Earth objects, and H.R. 1022
will help to further this endeavor to secure our future.
I would like to thank the Chairman and the Members of the Science
Committee for their support and I look forward to moving H.R. 1022 to
the House Floor.
Chairman Boehlert. I recognize Mr. Gordon to present any
remarks.
Mr. Gordon. It is a good bill, and I want to thank Mr.
Rohrabacher for also giving it a good name.
Chairman Boehlert. I ask unanimous--yeah, that is right,
and we look to George Brown daily in this committee.
I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read
and open to amendment at any point and that Members proceed
with the amendments in the order of the roster. Without
objection, so ordered.
Are there any amendments? Hearing none, the vote is on the
bill H.R. 1022, George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey
Act. All of those in favor will say aye. All of those opposed,
no. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it.
I recognize Mr. Gordon to offer a motion.
Mr. Gordon. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee
favorably report H.R. 1022 to the House with the recommendation
that the bill do pass. Furthermore, I move that the staff be
instructed to prepare the legislative report and make necessary
technical and conforming changes and that the Chairman take all
necessary steps to bring the bill before the House for
consideration.
Chairman Boehlert. The question is on the motion to report
the bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify
by saying aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is
favorably reported.
Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon
the table.
I move that Members have two subsequent calendar days in
which to submit supplemental, minority, or additional views on
the measure. I move pursuant to Clause 1 of Rule 22 of the
Rules of the House of Representatives that the Committee
authorize the Chairman to offer such motions as may be
necessary in the House to adopt and pass H.R. 1022, George E.
Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act. Without objection, so
ordered.
I want to thank everybody for participating and for your
attendance and indulgence.
This concludes our Committee markup.
[Whereupon, at 11:15 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]
Appendix:
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H.R. 1022, Section-by-Section Analysis, Summary of H.R. 1022
Section-by-Section Analysis of H.R. 1022,
George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act
Sec. 1. Short Title.
George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Near-Earth Object Survey.
Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) to establish a program to detect, track,
catalogue, and characterize the physical characteristics of near-Earth
asteroids and comets equal to or greater than 100 meters in diameter in
order to assess the threat of such near-Earth objects in striking the
Earth.
Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to include a
Congressional declaration that the general welfare and security of the
United States require that the unique competence of NASA in science and
engineering systems be directed to detecting, tracking, cataloguing,
and characterizing near-Earth asteroids and comets in order to provide
warning and mitigation of the potential hazard of such near-Earth
objects impacting the Earth.
Requires the Administrator to submit each year for the next five
years a report summarizing the activities the Administrator takes with
regard to the Near-Earth Object program and a summary of expenditures,
and a plan and budget request for the program.
Authorizes $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007 for
the program.
Summary of H.R. 1022,
George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act
The bill directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) to establish a program to detect, track,
catalogue, and characterize the physical characteristics of near-Earth
asteroids and comets equal to or greater than 100 meters in diameter in
order to assess the threat of such near-Earth objects in striking the
Earth.
It amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to include
a Congressional declaration that the general welfare and security of
the United States require that the unique competence of NASA in science
and engineering systems be directed to detecting, tracking,
cataloguing, and characterizing near-Earth asteroids and comets in
order to provide warning and mitigation of the potential hazard of such
near-Earth objects impacting the Earth.
The bill authorizes $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and
2007 for the program.