Reps. Fudge and Stivers Introduce the Efficient Space Exploration Act

This week, Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) and Congressman Steve Stivers (OH-15) introduced the Efficient Space Exploration Act, a bill to ensure continued funding for NASA's research and exploration of our universe, while supporting important jobs in science and technology in Ohio.

In Ohio, NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and Sunpower Inc. in Athens are leading the way in NASA's research efforts, developing a radioisotope power system to better support a spacecraft in deep space where solar power is not available. This power system, called the Advanced Stirling Conversion (ASC), is expected to be four times more efficient than the power systems currently used in deep space.

"The development of a more innovative generation of spacecraft and technology is paramount to the success of NASA. Yet funding for NASA continues to be cut. The NASA Glenn Research Center is a state-of-the-art aeronautical facility in Ohio and has been a vital part of the local economy for more than 70 years. The Efficient Space Exploration Act supports NASA's critical research and development, saves critical STEM jobs and secures the future of America's deep space missions," said Congresswoman Fudge.

"Ohio continues to be on the cutting edge when it comes to the aerospace and aeronautics industries,"Congressman Stivers said. "We must support the partnership between NASA Glenn and Sunpower because it will lead to new discoveries and continue to be a good source of jobs for Southeastern Ohio."

Specifically, the legislation states that the advanced radioisotope power systems are integral to NASA's success in deep space exploration and will be critical for the future of deep space exploration. The bill requires NASA to submit a report to explain the risks associated without the development of this technology and outlines the plan for preserving the infrastructure and workforce to produce these systems. According to Sunpower officials, many good-paying Ohio jobs rely on NASA's funding for the development of ASC technology.

The Senate companion bill for this legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).

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