Kim Reynolds: “Mr. Speaker, recent discoveries in the space program have reinvigorated our Nation's enthusiasm for space travel and…”

“Mr. Speaker, recent discoveries in the space program have reinvigorated our Nation's enthusiasm for space travel and discovery and, while in its infancy, commercial human space flight is becoming a new and exciting industry. As this concept continues to mature, there is hope of regular and safe round trips into space for paying customers. Eventually these trips will also serve as an important tool for investigation into commercial remote sensing and microgravity and atmospheric research. Currently there is no clear, defined structure to preside over this emerging new concept. Failing to provide a precise and consistent form of management will negatively affect the industry's ability to plan for its future, compete with international providers and attract financing from investors. The underlying bill creates a process for all commercial space flight and grants authority over commercial human space flight to the FAA's Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. This will clearly define the structure to allow flights of suborbital rockets carrying human beings.”