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Space Launch Liability Indemnification Extension Act

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 2, 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Science

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me time.

I rise today in support of H.R. 3547, the Space Launch Liability Indemnification Extension Act.

As a proud member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I am encouraged to hear about the exciting and innovative ways that the commercial space industry is pushing the bounds of space exploration. The legislation on the floor today helps to ensure that the industry will flourish and continue to create new, high-tech jobs.

In southern California, the Hawthorne-based SpaceX company employs nearly 4,000 workers and has cemented itself as one of the premier commercial space enterprises by developing several launch vehicles and reusable spacecraft. In 2012, SpaceX successfully delivered cargo to the international space station using its Dragon capsule.

The Mojave Space Port is another bright light in the commercial space industry. At Mojave, more than 70 companies are working on highly advanced aerospace design and flight test research. Just 2 months ago, the Sierra Nevada Corporation completed its first free-flight test of the Dream Chaser, a winged spacecraft that could one day take astronauts to the international space station.

But as commercial space companies such as SpaceX, Sierra Nevada, Virgin Galactic, and others continue to test new technologies, it is important for the Federal Government to help alleviate some of the risk involved in undertaking such projects. By providing third-party indemnification, these companies can continue their work without risking their entire assets. In fact, Russia, China, France, and Japan all offer liability protections that exceed the United States' standard. Without this important protection, some companies could be forced to exit the market, costing the United States hundreds, if not thousands, of high-tech jobs. We cannot allow that to happen.

I am proud to support this legislation so that American commercial space companies can continue to grow and expand the possibilities of what mankind can achieve. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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