Spacefaring Priorities for America's Continued Exploration Act

To authorize the Space Shuttle to be flown from 2010 through 2015, and to authorize appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for this purpose.

12/19/2007--Introduced.
Spacefaring Priorities for America's Continued Exploration Act or SPACE Act - Prohibits the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from relying solely on the Russian government for astronaut transport or cargo resupply services, except for the current Soyuz emergency escape services for astronauts on the International Space Station. Authorizes appropriations to NASA for:
(1) exploration systems; and
(2) emergency funding for Columbia return-to-flight costs. Requires NASA to fly at least two space shuttle missions per year for crew transport, instead of Russian crew and cargo services, for the period 2010-2015, or until Orion is operational. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such operations. Requires NASA to report to Congress on the specific costs and actions needed to extend the operation of the space shuttle. Requires NASA, by March 31, 2011, to investigate areas of reduced operations and enhanced cost savings and implement those that do not impinge on the safe operation of the space shuttle program. Directs NASA to define achievable and attainable requirements for the operation of such program beyond 2010, as recommended by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Requires:
(1) NASA to report to Congress on such requirements; and
(2) NASA to immediately begin satisfying those requirements and to satisfy all of them by March 31, 2010.

... morehide bill summarySee Full Bill Text

Sponsor

• Rep. David Weldon [R, FL-15]
• and 2 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. Philip English [R, PA-3]
  • Rep. Tom Feeney [R, FL-24]
  close

Committees

• House Science and Technology
• 1 more
  • House Science and Technology
  close

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.4837

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

Make a Bill Status Widget (Close help)

OpenCongress widgets allow you to display information about bills and issue areas on your own website or blog. First, select which bill or issue you want to track, then customize the appearance of the panel, and finally paste a simple chunk of HTML into your site. Now your community will have an easy, up-to-date way to track the status of important bills and issues in Congress.

Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
December 19, 2007

Show All Actions (3 actions)Hide Actions

All Bill Actions

• Jan 28, 2008: Referred to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
• Dec 19, 2007: Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
• Introduced on Dec 19, 2007.

---

Related Issue Areas:

• Space stations
• Space shuttles
• Space programs
• Space exploration
• 15 more
• Russia
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• International cooperation in astronautics
• International affairs
• Governmental investigations
• Government spending reductions
• Foreign policy
• Executive departments
• Cost accounting
• Congressional reporting requirements
• Congress
• Budgets
• Authorization
• Astronauts
• Space activities

Data from the Congressional Research Service

Show More User Statistics... Hide User Statistics

In the News

April 30, 2008 Whether to extend life of space shuttles or not? Oh, well maybe?

The Republican congressman from Florida, Dave Weldon, is trying to extend the life of the space shuttle fleet by passing the SPACE Act. The bill, HR 4837, ...

Was this article useful? Yes or No

Source: iTWire, Australia

Did you find this article useful? Your opinion counts - together, we're finding the very best news and blog coverage about Congress available on the web.

December 22, 2007 HR 4837 Spacefaring Priorities for America's Continued Exploration ...

To authorize the Space Shuttle to be flown from 2010 through 2015, and to authorize appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for ...

Was this article useful? Yes or No

Source: Space Ref (press release)

Did you find this article useful? Your opinion counts - together, we're finding the very best news and blog coverage about Congress available on the web.

See most useful news articles

Blog Coverage

June 24, 2008 End of the Shuttle?

Dave Weldon, to keep the shuttle flying past the prescribed retirement date (HR 4837). The fate of this bill is still undetermined. But is the spaceplane still safe to fly? Let's face it: the shuttle never lived up to its designers' ...

Was this article useful? Yes or No

Source: Rod L. Pyle's Amazon Blog

Did you find this article useful? Your opinion counts - together, we're finding the very best news and blog coverage about Congress available on the web.

April 02, 2008 Tom Feeney's Statement on NASA's Workforce Transition Report

Tom Feeney (R-FL), Co-sponsor of Space Act, HR 4837, to keep the Shuttle alive until Constellation is online, makes statement on NASA's Workforce Transition Report release. Tom Feeney (released) the following statement after NASA's ...

Was this article useful? Yes or No

Source: LUNAR NETWORKS

Did you find this article useful? Your opinion counts - together, we're finding the very best news and blog coverage about Congress available on the web.

March 09, 2008 March 9 News Items

The SPACE Act, HR 4837, authored by Weldon authorizes additional funding to help deliver Orion earlier than the currently planned 2015 date. Lockheed Martin Addresses Worker Shortage by Funding High School Programs (Source: AIA) ...

Was this article useful? Yes or No

Source: FLORIDA spacereport

Did you find this article useful? Your opinion counts - together, we're finding the very best news and blog coverage about Congress available on the web.

9 more posts...
See most useful blog posts

Information made available by: