Senator John McCain Congratulates NASA for Pursuing Competition, Addresses Ending Reliance on Russia in Space Launch

Statement

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement on NASA's competitive contract award to companies to carry astronauts to the International Space Station:

"This week, NASA announced a major step forward in rebuilding our nation's space capabilities with development contracts to both The Boeing Company and SpaceX for vehicles that will carry astronauts to the International Space Station. It is unacceptable that America, the nation that has led the way in space for decades, today relies on Russia to reach space. I am, therefore, gratified that, with its announcement to partner with another American company, Blue Origin, Boeing will be contributing to efforts to reduce our reliance on Russian engines to satisfy our nation's space needs.

"With the contracts it has awarded, NASA has laid out a clear path to have an American space vehicle operational to lead the world in space again. And, it appears to be doing so by using a "fly before you buy' acquisition strategy, harnessing competition, mitigating risk and incentivizing cost-control -- all on a fixed-price basis. Indeed, when used properly, these principles work well and can protect the taxpayers while at the same time delivering needed capability. The Air Force should follow NASA's lead as it develops the Defense Department's national security space program, the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)."

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