H.R. 5345, American Leadership in Space Technology and Advanced Rocketry (ALSTAR) Act

Floor Situation

On Wednesday, June 27, 2018, the House will consider H.R. 5345, the American Leadership in Space Technology and Advanced Rocketry (ALSTAR) Act, under suspension of the rules. This bill was introduced on March 20, 2018 by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) and was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, which ordered the bill reported, by voice vote on March 22, 2018.

Summary

H.R. 5345 directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama to coordinate and lead national efforts related to rocket propulsion capabilities. Specifically, this bill would require the center to support the development and refinement of rocket propulsion for small satellites, monitor public-and private-sector rocket propulsion activities, and evaluate and recommend new technologies for development.

Background

The Marshall Space Flight Center’s history reaches back to the 1950s, before NASA was created in 1958, partially in response to the Soviet Union's launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, the previous year. A group of Army employees working then on rocket and missile programs at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, included the team of German scientists led by Dr. Wernher von Braun, who was largely responsible for the successful launch of the United States' first satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958. In 1960, NASA established the Marshall Center with the transfer from the Army of more than 4,500 civil service employees and nearly 2,000 acres of Redstone Arsenal property. Von Braun became the Marshall Center's first director.[1]

For more than 50 years, the unique capabilities and expertise at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has been used to design and build the engines, vehicles, space systems, instruments and science payloads that make possible unprecedented missions of science and discovery throughout our solar system.[2]

Marshall’s scientists, engineers, and technicians designed, built, tested and helped launch the giant Saturn V rocket that carried astronauts on the Apollo missions to the moon. The Marshall Center developed new rocket engines and tanks for the fleet of space shuttles, built sections of the International Space Station and now manages all the science work of the astronauts aboard the ISS from a 24/7 Payload Operations and Integration Center.[3]

Looking to the future, the Marshall Center is home to development of the Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket ever designed to carry human explorers, their equipment and science payloads deeper into space than ever before, to an asteroid and to Mars.[4]

According to the bill’s sponsor, “The Tennessee Valley has a rich history of supporting the space industry and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, which is why I’m proud to have introduced the American Leadership in Space Technology and Advanced Rocketry Act (ALSTAR Act). This bill will ensure the long-term stability of the rocket propulsion industry through better coordination and collaboration between all relevant stakeholders. With Marshall leading the charge to explore and develop new rocket propulsion technology in conjunction with its partners, NASA can inspire the next generation to look to the stars and aspire to do the impossible.”[5]

Cost

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that implementing the bill would have no significant cost.

Staff Contact

For questions or further information please contact Ryan Hofmann with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 2-6674.