Introduces a Space Gap Filler Bill

Press Release

Feeney Introduces a Space Gap Filler Bill

Today, Representative Tom Feeney (R-Oviedo) introduced legislation to narrow the planned gap in America's human spaceflight program. Under current plans, the Space Shuttle will be retired in 2010 but its successor, the Orion/Ares 1 spacecraft, will not fly operationally until 2015 at the earliest. During that gap, the United States would purchase flights on the Russian Soyuz vehicle. Yesterday, the House passed legislation authorizing such purchases. Tom Feeney discusses his bill:

"While I support allowing the purchase of Soyuz flights, that option should be a last and not first resort. Russia's Putin Regime has engaged in a series of unfriendly actions culminating in last month's invasion of Georgia. Collectively, these acts cast serious doubt on Russia's reliability as an international partner. My legislation tasks NASA with developing alternates to fill this spaceflight gap.

"My legislation charges the next Administration to aggressively develop methods of providing access to the International Space Station for the U.S.A. and its allies. A changed international environment requires midcourse corrections in our strategy. America and its allies have the talent to accomplish this task. This legislation provides the needed will," said Feeney.

Under Representative Feeney's bill, the ISS GAP FILLER Act:

· NASA would immediately suspend activities precluding continued Shuttle operations after 2010 and provide a detailed analysis of the actions and resources needed to continue Shuttle flights beyond 2010.
· Authorizes over $3 billion annually in fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012 for continued Shuttle operations.
· Authorizes a one-time $2 billion injection into the Orion/Ares 1 program to accelerate spacecraft development.
· Initiates a domestic crewed vehicle demonstration program under which at least two private entities will propose rapid development and prototyping of a spacecraft that provides crew transfer and rescue services to the International Space Station.
· Simultaneously, the NASA Administrator will begin discussions with the European Space Agency (ESA) on joint development of a human-rated spacecraft based on ESA's Automated Transfer Vehicle.
· After reviewing all proposals, the NASA Administrator will select a course of action that best provides crew transfer and rescue services to the International Space Station. $575 million is authorized over three years for developing such access. If a vehicle is successfully demonstrated, NASA would contract with that entity - and not Russia - to transport American astronauts.
· Permits the purchase of Soyuz flights but immediately terminates such purchases as soon as an alternate means of access to ISS is developed.

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