Dear Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, Chairwoman Johnson, and Ranking Member Lucas:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports comprehensive National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reauthorization to provide the consistent and predictable stream of funding NASA needs to continue its important work on earth and in space.
Since its creation, NASA has demonstrated the ability to push the boundaries of science and exploration for the benefit of all Americans. Through increasing collaboration with the private sector and international partners, NASA possesses the capability to advance America into a new space age.
The Chamber supports the approach presented in the December 2021 National Space Council space priorities framework, which outlined areas of focus for the U.S. space mission. These include maintaining U.S. leadership in space exploration and space science and fostering a regulatory environment that enables a competitive U.S. commercial space sector.
Continued development of the Space Launch System would establish the foundation for future human missions to the Moon and Mars. NASA’s work to operate and maintain the International Space Station has established a path to supporting future commercial independent space stations, paving the way for human habitation in space. NASA’s aeronautics innovations exemplify the unparalleled work accomplished by NASA and the small, midsized, and large businesses that comprise the commercial space sector and highlight the potential for future success. It is essential that the public and private sectors identify opportunities for collaboration and recognize the nearly unlimited potential for a future in space.
Furthermore, the economic impact generated by NASA and the broader federal support for the commercial space industry is significant and will continue to foster investment in space operations. It is estimated that the global space industry could generate revenue of more than $1 trillion by 2040. Today, the space sector in the United States employs approximately 420,000 people and is projected to grow to 1.5 million jobs by 2050.
The Chamber encourages your Committees to complete work expeditiously on NASA reauthorization.
Sincerely,
Neil L. Bradley
Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer,
and Head of Strategic Advocacy
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
cc: Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Members of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
