Weldon Proposes Bill to Ensure America’s Future in Space

SPACE Act Would Benefit National Security and Local Economy

Washington, Dec 17 – Today I am introducing the SPACE Act to revamp the shortcomings in NASA’s planned transition from the Space Shuttle to Orion. The current plan short-changes America’s space program and those dedicated to assuring America’s leadership in space exploration.

My bill plugs NASA’s human spaceflight gap and ensures a smoother landing for the Shuttle workforce and lift-off for Constellation. The SPACE Act provides NASA with the resources to fully fund development of Constellation while also enabling continued operation of two Shuttle flights per year between 2010 and 2015, or until Orion is operational.

My bill recognizes that past reliance on the Russians, by placing them in the critical path on the International Space Station (ISS), was fraught with problems. Relying on the Russians for the Zvezda, the critical ISS service module, cost the U.S. over $800 million and delayed the ISS. It is important that we learn from history, not repeat history.