SPACEPORT Act Introduced in the US Senate
A bipartisan group of US Senators has introduced the SPACEPORT Act to encourage the development of commercial spaceports through the modernization of the FAA's Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching (STIM) grant program.
“By investing in our spaceport infrastructure, this legislation helps ensure the U.S. space industry remains competitive and is prepared to handle future national security threats.”
Senator John Cornyn
The legislation was introduced by Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) (pictured, L-R).
Spaceports are ground-based launch and reentry sites that can be used to support public and private ventures into space.
The SPACEPORT (Spaceport Project Opportunities for Resilient Transportation) act would reauthorize and update the STIM program to reflect the growing demand for civil, commercial, and national security launches. The legislation would also refine the funding mechanisms to support new spaceport construction projects and infrastructure updates to operational spaceports across the country.
SPACEPORT Act Reflects Growing Space Industry
With more commercial spaceports emerging across the U.S., there is a growing need to establish a dedicated funding source from the Department of Transportation to support the unique infrastructure needs of the space transportation industry.
“Spaceports are Colorado’s gateway to the commercial space boom, and we need to prioritize that infrastructure if we want to stay at the top of the space industry,” said Hickenlooper.
“American space exploration has come a long way, but we can and should go even further,” said Cornyn. “By investing in our spaceport infrastructure, this legislation helps ensure the U.S. space industry remains competitive and is prepared to handle future national security threats.”
“As New Mexico’s space industry continues to rapidly grow, we need investments in our space infrastructure to propel us into a new era of space exploration and technological advancement,” said Luján. “I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce legislation that will reestablish a critical grant program that supports investments in our country’s space launch infrastructure, including our very own Spaceport America. These investments will not only drive economic growth but also continue New Mexico’s position as a leader in science, technology, and other emerging industries.”
“With the demand for space launches growing, ensuring that the U.S. has the right infrastructure in place is critical. Creating and expanding spaceports nationwide will help the military, communications, navigation, weather forecasting, agriculture, and disaster response,” said Wicker.
CSF Praises Introduction of the SPACEPORT Act
The Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) strongly endorses the SPACEPORT Act. Space launch infrastructure is critical to the success of the commercial space industry. Space Force officials have made public comments regarding the fact that space launch infrastructure demand is starting to outpace supply. Space launch infrastructure challenges could constrain the growth of the commercial space industry. The United States government is wisely increasing its utilization of commercial space capabilities to protect national security and carry out civil missions. This legislation will help the commercial space sector remain competitive as nations like China seek to rapidly mature their capabilities. CSF thanks Senators Hickenlooper, Cornyn, Lujan, and Wicker for their action on this key issue.
I applaud Senators Hickenlooper, Cornyn, Lujan, and Wicker for introducing this important legislation, which will help our nation remain competitive internationally as China rapidly matures its space capabilities,” said Karina Drees, CSF President. “This legislation will facilitate continued growth of the commercial space industry, which has economic benefits as well as benefits to the United States government, which relies on commercial space products and services to enhance our national security and carry out civil missions more efficiently.”
(Source: Senator Hickenlooper and CSF news releases. Images from file)