US Senate Commerce Committee Urges New NASA Authorisation Bill

Amidst the global space racing to raise a flag in the cosmos, US Senate Commerce Committee chair, Maria Cantwell urges to push a new NASA authorisation bill in a multiyear, mirroring the plans by her house counterpart, according to a media report.

Addressing the Federal Aviation Administration Commercial Space Transportation Conference, Maria said, there is a need for a multiyear authorization even though Congress has included a NASA authorisation act in the ‘CHIPS and Science Act’, a broad science and technology bill, enacted last year.

She added, through the CHIPS and Science bill many NASA programs, including Artemis, are authorised, but the call for a multiyear authorisation notifies investment and direction for the future, the Congress likely to approach.

Cantwell stressed that her committee will hold a series of space-related hearings in the upcoming months that supports new technology development, oversight and guidance of NASA programs and effective ways of integrating space launches into the National Airspace System.

Her call for a new NASA authorisation is also backed by the committee’s new chairman, Rep Frank Lucas (R-Okla.)

According to reports the CHIPS and Science Act includes a narrower section authorizing certain NASA activities, while the language did not support any authorisations of appropriations for any program. The comprehensive NASA authorisation is thus into Congress’s consideration.

Meanwhile, Cantwell’s shout for NASA authorisation will address many space issues improving space situational awareness.