Legislation seeks to support efforts to continue space program initiatives

U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) has introduced a bill that would aid efforts to continue space program initiatives through authorization and funding of critical government programs.

The U.S. Leadership in Space Act of 2021 (H.R. 6391) calls for the National Space Council to report foreign threats to the U.S. Commercial Space sector while also recommending actions Congress can take to protect and promote its success.

“We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history,” Weber said. “Space is an important domain for several reasons. As any military leader will tell you, whoever occupies the high ground has the strategic advantage. Continued inaction by Congress to adequately address the growing threats posed by an expanding uncontrolled debris field in earth’s orbit and the irresponsible and reckless anti-satellite missile tests by Russia that recently endangered the lives of astronauts (and cosmonauts) aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Weber maintains years of intellectual property theft, critical supply chain control, and other nefarious practices by China have required Congress and the Biden administration to pass meaningful legislation ensuring continued American preeminence in space.

“This legislation would establish Johnson Space Center (JSC) as the Artemis program management office,” Weber said. “Since its creation in 1961, JSC remains NASA’s lead center for human spaceflight, serving as the global hub for managing and integrating complex activities associated with keeping astronauts alive and working in space. JSC not only led this charge to the Moon during the Apollo missions but also subsequently served as the location for the Space Shuttle, ISS, Constellation, Orion and Gateway programs.”

Weber also noted that the bill instructs NASA to pursue two or more spacesuit design-and-development agreements with industry, stating that competition drives innovation and lowers costs over time.