Commercial Spaceflight Operations Act Picks Up Key Endorsement

GSA Applauds Action by the Aerospace States Association.

[ALEXANDRIA, VA., August 21, 2024] At the annual meeting of the Aerospace States Association (ASA), which took place on June 24-27, 2024, in New Orleans, a resolution was adopted unanimously to urge Congressional passage of the Commercial Spaceflight Operations Act of 2024. The proposed legislation, which was developed by the Global Spaceport Alliance, is intended to meet the needs of the evolving commercial spaceflight industry by updating national policy, streamlining government oversight, and providing needed infrastructure funding. 

Key provisions include:

• Establishment of the Commercial Space Transportation Administration, by moving the Office of Commercial Space Transportation out from under the FAA and having it report directly to the Secretary of Transportation.
• Creation of a commercial spaceflight research alliance to enable progress in addressing issues of interest to government, industry, academia, and the international community.
• Adoption of a National Spaceport Policy that would support the development of a network of spaceports and allow assured access to space for all users.
• Updating the Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program and providing funding to support projects that will increase the safety, capacity, efficiency, and resiliency of space transportation operations.
• Modification of the statutory definition for Space Support Vehicles to enable commercial spaceflight companies to conduct human spaceflight training programs using high-performance or former military aircraft, just like NASA does.
• Support for development of high-speed, long-distance transportation, specifically point-to-point transportation through space, which is expected to be a major game changer for both national security and economic competitiveness.

ASA is a nonpartisan organization comprising Lt. Governors, Governor-appointed delegates, and members from aerospace organizations and academia. It focuses on research and development, workforce training, economic development, STEM education, and maintaining competitiveness in the global marketplace. This year’s meeting was hosted by Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, ASA Chair. 

Dr. George C. Nield, GSA Chairman, expressed his thanks and appreciation to Lt. Governor Nungesser, Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears (ASA Vice Chair), and Ross Garelick Bell (ASA Executive Director) for their visionary leadership.

“Having ASA’s support on the Commercial Spaceflight Operations Act and related issues will make a tremendous difference in enabling timely action on Capitol Hill,” noted Dr. Nield. “GSA looks forward to expanding our partnership with ASA in the future as we identify needed aerospace policy changes at the federal, state, and local level.”

GSA is committed to engaging with government decision-makers and key stakeholders to educate and advocate for essential policy changes. While the Commercial Spaceflight Operations Act is primarily focused on changes to U.S. policy, the benefits will likely be global in nature, and could set the standard for spaceport operations around the world.

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